Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
With the 2025/26 Championship campaign getting underway this weekend, Middlesbrough will welcome Swansea to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.
Middlesbrough
Starting with the hosts, officially parting ways with Michael Carrick over the summer, Middlesbrough are getting a new era underway this season. Now under the guidance of Rob Edwards, the former Luton boss has his sights set on mounting a genuine play-off charge this time around. However, signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a routine 2-0 loss away at Coventry, Boro managed to muster just a single win from any of their final six Championship appearances as they eventually had to settle for a 10th-place finish. Limping their way over the finishing line and watching their top-six dreams come to a downbeat end, Saturday’s hosts are also searching for some defensive stability. Drawing a line under their summer preparations with a 2-2 stalemate against Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna, Edwards’ new squad also registered just a sole clean sheet after returning from March’s international break.
Middlesbrough Team News
Missing each of Middlesbrough’s final three friendly appearances this summer, it remains to be seen if Australian international Riley McGree will be part of Edwards’ squad here. Arriving from Championship rivals Blackburn last month, Callum Brittain could make his Boro debut this weekend.
Signing off his pre-season preparations with a brace against Deportivo last week, Scottish youngster Tommy Conway should be handed the chance to lead the line here. Making his move to Boro a permanent one last year, former Leeds skipper Luke Ayling will start at right-back.
Swansea
As for the visitors, while Swansea might have eventually finished seven points adrift of the play-off places last season, Alan Sheehan’s side did sign off proceedings with a real flurry. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their final eight Championship appearances, Saturday’s guests will be looking to carry on from where they left off prior to the summer break. However, despite dreaming of their own top-six charge this year, the Swans could be concerned by their downbeat pre-season run. Including a dissapeointng 3-1 defeat at home against French outfit Lorient last weekend, Sheehan’s camp lost all of their final three friendly outings by an aggregate score of 6-2. It should also be highlighted, pencilled in as a real underdog contender this weekend, Swansea have lost all of their previous five Championship trips to the Riverside.
Swansea Team News
Yet to make a single appearance since returning from March’s international break, former Hearts striker remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury issue and will once again miss out on Saturday afternoon. However, completing a permanent switch from Swedish outfit Hacken this summer, Zeidane Inoussa will make his Championship debut here.
Likewise, arriving from Premier League outfit West Ham on a loan deal earlier in the week, Kaelan Casey could feature at the Riverside. Claiming Swansea’s Golden Boot last season after notching 11 Championship strikes, Wales international Liam Cullen will lead the line.
Middlesbrough vs Swansea Key Factors to Consider
- When Swansea and Middlesbrough last met back on March 8th, Saturday’s guests collected a 1-0 victory at the Liberty.
- However, Swansea have lost their previous five consecutive trips to the Riverside by an aggregate score of 8-2.
- Middlesbrough signed off the 2024/25 campaign with just a single win from any of their final six Championship appearances.
- Boro failed to register consecutive Championship clean sheets at the Riverside last season.
- Swansea lost all of their final three pre-season appearances by an aggregate score of 6-2.
Conclusion
Two camps who will get proceedings underway on Saturday afternoon, neutrals will be hoping for an enjoyable showdown from the Riverside this weekend. While Swansea might have lost all of their previous five consecutive Championship trips to the North East, they will meet a Middlesbrough squad that have failed to find any real stability on either side of the summer break. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a frantic 2-2 stalemate against Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna, we are hoping that chances should fall at both ends of the pitch.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
