Preview:Middlesbrough vs Swansea City - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship football resumes at the Riverside Stadium this Saturday as Middlesbrough kick off their campaign against Swansea City.

The Boro are looking forward to a new era following the appointment of Rob Edwards, while Swansea will be hoping to make progress under the watchful eye of Alan Sheehan.

Match preview

Middlesbrough decided to part ways with Michael Carrick at the end of what proved to be a disappointing 2024-25 season for the club.

Boro sat as high as fifth following an impressive run of results in the spring, but the team froze in the final weeks, picking up four points from their final six games and dropping to 10th in the standings.

Former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has since arrived at the Riverside, with the ambition of turning the club into playoff contenders once again.

Recruitment has been difficult over the summer, though Middlesbrough have been able to splash some cash – including £3.5m on Callum Brittain from Blackburn Rovers.

Swansea City, meanwhile, are entering their eighth successive season in the Championship – a spell which has seen them go through six different managers.

Alan Sheehan, who previously took charge of the club in a caretaker role, has been handed the managerial job on a full-time basis – his first proper crack at football management.

His first test is expected to be a difficult one considering Swansea’s summer transfer activity has been rather slow.

The club are still looking for a proven Championship goalscorer – something they desperately need considering they scored the same number of goals last season as second-bottom Plymouth Argyle.

Middlesbrough pre-season form:

D L D D D

Swansea City pre-season form:

D W L L L

Team News

There are some personnel concerns for Middlesbrough this season, with the club lacking the right talent to execute Edwards’ preferred three-at-the-back system.

The additions of Abdoulaye Kante, Alfie Jones, and Callum Brittain are all expected to feature on Saturday, though the club are still missing a serial goalscorer.

Goalkeeper Seny Dieng is not available for the start of the season, meaning Edwards will have to go with either Tom Glover or Sol Brynn.

Swansea will be strengthened by the addition of Kaelan Casey, who arrived in south Wales on a season-long loan from West Ham United.

Cameron Burgess will serve as the club’s senior centre-back after joining the club over the summer from Ipswich Town.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup: Brynn; Brittain, Jones, Fry, Borges; Morris, Kante; Silvera, Whittaker, Burgzorg, Conway

Swansea City possible starting lineup: Vigouroux; Key, Fulton, Burgess, Tymon; Franco, Galbraith; Widell, Pereira, Inoussa; Cullen

We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Swansea City

Middlesbrough have experienced a number of changes at the club, and it may take a while before the Riverside club hit their stride.

At the same time, Swansea City’s summer recruitment has been disappointing, which may leave them lacking quality on Saturday. With that in mind, we are backing a draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.