The72’s writers offer their Middlesbrough vs Swansea City prediction ahead of their Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.
Middlesbrough play host to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon as the 2025/26 Championship campaign gets underway.
Middlesbrough have had a consistent summer with few changes to their playing roster, but a change in the manager’s seat has sparked confidence. Rob Edwards has been selected to lead the Boro charge this summer, and he will undoubtedly set his sights on the top six.
Abdoulaye Kante, Alfie Jones, and Callum Brittain are new additions at the Riverside, while Josh Coburn and Anfernee Dijksteel have joined Millwall and Kocaelispor, respectively, following the release of Jonathan Howson and George Gitau.
Following their failed pursuit of Chuba Akpom, Boro will seek to add a few more names to their roster before the window closes. Regardless, Edwards’ team appears to be well prepared for a challenging season, and they will be hoping to get off to a good start this weekend with three points.
Swansea City, on the other hand, had a successful transfer window that may have slipped under the radar.
Since Alan Sheehan’s promotion from interim manager to permanent manager, the Swans have made five acquisitions. Most notably, Zeidane Inoussa has joined from BK Hacken for roughly £5.2 million, according Transfermarkt. The 23-year-old winger offers a really interesting option out wide.
Swansea, like Middlesbrough, will look to enhance their team this summer. Having said that, there is already a growing sense that Sheehan’s side is capable of exceeding expectations this season, and fans have reason to be optimistic.
Here are our authors’ predictions for the game.
Jacob Hackett
“Middlesbrough failed in their attempts to make the play-offs last term and will be hungry to return to the top six this season.
“The appointment of Edwards is exciting, though his struggles with Luton Town last term suggest he will not necessarily become an instant success. Given time and backing, however, it appears a promising move.
“Swansea City enjoyed a brilliant end to the season under Sheehan’s guidance and will be hopeful of continuing that form into the new campaign.
“With less pressure on the visitors, and tactics more familiar, I can see the away side securing a victory by narrow margins on the opening day.”
James Ray
“Middlesbrough have signed some good players so far this summer, just not enough. They retain key players like Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Bereg, though it remains to be seen if they stay beyond the end of the window.
“The wind is certainly in Swansea City sails, while Boro feel like they might have gone a bit stale, though they could actually benefit from lower expectations and pressure.
“They’ll still hope to get a good result here, but I don’t think they’ll really kick on unless more new players arrive on Teesside. The Swans could definitely capitalise on that and grind out a valuable opening day win, but I think a draw is more likely.
“I’ll say this ends 1-1.”
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