Burnley vs Middlesbrough - Championship

A fascinating Championship chapter awaits on September 2, 2026 when Burnley take on Middlesbrough at Turf Moor — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Chelsea vs Tottenham: Line-ups confirmed for pre-season clash in Sydney.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Burnley and Middlesbrough cross paths in the Championship, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. Burnley have blown hot and cold, DLDLD across their last five and a win rate of 36.96% that leaves room for improvement. Middlesbrough have blown hot and cold, DDWLW across their last five and a season win rate of 39.13%. The contrast in attacking output — 1.33 versus 1.13 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Manchester City are nearing an agreement with Marseille for an experienced goalkeeper as they continue reshaping the position behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Burnley favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Middlesbrough are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. The 29-year-old ranked 4th in strokes gained approach in 2026, and he has finished outside the top four in that specific category only once in the seven full seasons he has played on the PGA Tour.

With C. Larin leading the league's scoring charts at 7 goals, the contest is unlikely to be short of attacking intent. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. He was only 18 years old when he scored his first Champions League goal for Benfica in a 4-3 win over Juventus.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. Whatever the outcome, the Championship fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.