Middlesbrough

These two are on very different trajectories heading into their game at Fratton Park.

Middlesbrough remain unbeaten and head the table by two points while Portsmouth have taken only two points from their past four games.

This will be only the third league meeting between the sides in 13 years with Pompey taking four points from last season's two games.

• Portsmouth have lost just one of their past eight league games against Middlesbrough (W2 D5), a 3-1 defeat in March 2012.

• Middlesbrough have won just two of their past 13 away league games against Portsmouth (D4 L7).

• Portsmouth have lost each of their past two league matches played on a Saturday and could lose three on the bounce on this day for the first time since February 2022.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in all eight of their Championship games this season (W5 D3), last having a longer run without defeat from the start of a campaign in 2011-12 (11).

• Middlesbrough have earned eight points away from home in the Championship this season (W2 D2), more than they had in their final 11 on the road in 2024-25 (W2 D1 L8).

"It was a real tough game - both teams had chances. We had chances but they had quite a few as well. In the end you'd settle for a point - it's a good point.

"If I had to give a man of the match it would be Sol Brynn. He keeps you in the game and gets you the point."

BBC Radio Tees' Paul Addison and former Boro midfielder Neil Maddison react to Boro's goalless draw with Stoke City, and hear from head coach Rob Edwards and defender Alfie Jones.

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards accepted his side's point in the goalless draw with Stoke City, but was left upset at the refusal to award a first-half penalty for Tommy Conway.

The Scotland forward went down in the area under a challenge from visiting midfielder Ben Pearson.

But referee David Webb did not point to the spot and instead awarded a free-kick to Stoke and booked Conway for diving, leaving Edwards having to rein in his frustration.

"First half, I thought we were excellent," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"We played really well, really good intensity, some good football and we should have had a penalty.

"It was pretty clear to me and looking back at it as well. That was really frustrating.

"I've got to bite my lip now because I want to make sure I'm on the touchline in games going forward. He hasn't dived. There's contact there. It's a difficult one to take."

Stoke City's impressive early season form is no surprise to Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards.

Championship leaders Boro host the third-placed Potters on Tuesday with four points separating the sides.

"They've got quite an interesting blend, real pace and power on the last line and a real crossing team, especially on the left with (Sorba) Thomas and (Aaron) Cresswell," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"It's no surprise at all (to see them doing well), they look really solid and have a real attacking threat as well."

Middlesbrough maintained their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday with a late equaliser from Kaly Sene in their 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Edwards expects midfielder Callum Brittain to be fit despite going off, while defender Dael Fry is back from a three-game lay off.

"Callum's foot was sore and a bit swollen but he's ok which is positive and Dael comes into contention, he's trained the last couple of days and will be in the squad," Edwards added.

Image source, Opta

Table-topping Middlesbrough will seek to extend their perfect home record when Stoke head to The Riverside on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).

The Potters are third, four points adrift of unbeaten Boro, who came back to draw 1-1 at Southampton on Saturday.

Rob Edwards' men are the third leading scorers in the Championship while having the stingiest defence with just five goals conceded in their opening seven matches.

Mark Robins' Potters also came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Norwich on Saturday but after winning their first two away games, they went down 1-0 at QPR in their most recent away game.

• Middlesbrough completed a league double over Stoke City last season, and could win three in a row against the Potters for only the second time since WWII, after June 2020.

• Stoke have won on just one of their past nine league visits to Middlesbrough (D2 L6), a 2-0 victory in October 2023.

• Middlesbrough have won all three of their Championship home games this season, and could win each of their opening four home matches of a second tier campaign for the sixth time, after 1925-26, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1991-92, and 2018-19.

• Stoke have won three of their past six away league games (D1 L2), as many as their previous 20 beforehand (W3 D5 L12).

• Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards has won both of his previous managerial games against Stoke in the Championship, each with Luton in February 2023 (1-0) and December 2024 (2-1).

Marc Webber
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, PA Media

They say the sign of a champion is getting something out of a game where the statistics suggest you were outplayed.

It is perhaps too early to hand Middlesbrough the title, but Saturday's draw with Southampton certainly showed those sort of promotion-winning qualities, even if it ended in a draw.

When speaking on BBC Radio Tees after the game, boss Rob Edwards admitted himself it was a pleasing point against an opposition that led possession and had double the number of chances of his Boro side.

But the performance was an example of Edwards' patient approach to management overall.

When it was the right time to make changes, he did, and his tactical substitutions changed the game.

And in Kaly Sene, who scored the equaliser for his second goal in as many games off the bench, they can be confident they have strength in depth.

Question is, should Sene keep his super-sub crown, or play from the start in future games?

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards was satisfied with the draw and happy with how his team fought back to keep their unbeaten start to the Championship going.

The run now stands at seven games as they sit four points clear at the top after substitute Kaly Sene ensured a share of the points at Southampton.

It was the second away consecutive match in which Boro have come from behind to draw with crucial contributions off the bench after twice doing it at Preston North End.

And it is a trait that former Luton Town boss Edwards is enjoying about his side.

"We played well in the first half but gifted them some moments with some sloppiness," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"We grew into it and we were dominant and then they scored. We had to click into gear, another level, we made some changes and found a way back in.

"Last time we were away from home, we fought back. It's good character, impact again from the side and that's pleasing. The lads are adaptable and we found a way."

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before his side's visit to Southampton on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• George Edmundson's eye has not suffered any structural damage and he's trained this week. Saturday's game will come "too soon" for Dael Fry but Edwards is hopeful he will be available at some point next week.

• Edwards also hopes Darragh Lenihan will be back available in the coming weeks and admits it's been "tough" for the 31-year-old after suffering another injury setback.

• Boro have recorded their best league start in 149 years, a special achievement which builds belief at the club and, Edwards says, makes it easier to battle through any downturns in form that may come.

• Edwards praised his side's versatility and ability to score different kinds of goals. Attacking set-pieces were previously a Boro weakness but hard work in that area has reaped rewards, with four goals from such situations in six games.

• Luke Ayling has slotted into the right centre-back role seamlessly despite normally playing as a full-back and hopes that thriving in the Middlesbrough back-line will prolong his career. Edwards describes Ayling as "a great guy with a fantastic personality".

• There are no plans to appoint one individual as club captain following the departure of Jonny Howson this summer. The armband has been shared by Dael Fry, Aidan Morris and Ayling this season with the aim of promoting more leadership with in the group.

• On coming across former Boro midfielder Finn Azaz: "We're well aware of what he can do." But Edwards said his side will have to be vigilant about the entire Southampton front-line who have lots of quality.

Listen to the full interview with Edwards and more on Middlesbrough on Sounds.

"If you allow [Azaz] to play, he's a good player and he could destroy us so I think somebody needs to get into him and niggle him a little bit.

"Maybe Alan Browne's your man to maybe just go in and fairly challenge him two or three times in the first 10 minutes. I think he might [then] just shrink from the game."

Middlesbrough fan Bob Smedley analyses the club's summer recruitment and previews midfielder Finn Azaz's upcoming confrontation with his former club when Boro visit Southampton on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Smedley identifies Alan Browne as the "unsung signing" of the summer and tips him to be able to handle Azaz, who made 23 league goal contributions for Boro last season.

Listen to the full analysis of Boro's recruitment from fan Bob Smedley on Sounds.

Southampton host league leaders Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they look to get their season back on track after a disappointing run of results.

The Saints won their opening league game against Wrexham but have failed to register a victory since, losing last time out against Hull City to see them just one point above the bottom three.

But it'll be tough to take their second set of three points against Boro though given the side's stellar form, with the Teesside club yet to suffer a league defeat this season and guaranteed more time in the top spot regardless of how the weekend unfolds.

• Southampton have won four of their last seven league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L2), though failed to beat them either time when they last met in 2023-24 (D1 L1).

• Six of Middlesbrough's last 10 away league games against Southampton have been drawn (W2 L2), with their last victory at St Mary's coming in the Premier League in September 2003.

• Southampton have won just one of their last 20 league games (D6 L13), beating Wrexham 2-1 on the opening weekend this season.

• Middlesbrough's 16 points this season is their best return after six games in any league campaign. They last went unbeaten in their first seven to a season back in 2011-12.

• No player has created more chances in the Championship so far this season than Southampton's Ryan Manning (14).

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."

Middlesbrough forward Kaly Sene says it was boss Rob Edwards who convinced him to sign for the club in August.

Though the 24-year-old admits he "doesn't like to watch football," he says that he did know about Boro's reputation before signing the paperwork and it was a conversation with Edwards that helped seal his move from Lausanne-Sport.

"I know they were in the Premier League before so it was a big club and is a big club in this moment, so when the coach called me, we had a good conversation. It is because of this I signed here," Sene told BBC Radio Tees.

"I was very happy when he called me and we talked together.

"For me, it's very important to have a coach who believes in you and tries to put you in the best way, helps you to be better. He's doing this not just with me but with all the team."

The Senegalese striker joined Boro having already scored six goals in Switzerland this season and has netted his first for Middlesbrough during their 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

"The win is most important and then the goal, so if we score and then we win, I will be more happy," he added.

"So for me, it was a very good night and yes, I'm proud to score this first goal at home."

Listen to the full interview with Sene and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards praised his side's resilience as a cornerstone of their victory over West Bromwich Albion.

First Boro goals for forwards David Strelec and Kaly Sene won the game in a match in which West Brom had more possession and more shots.

The three points secured a four-point lead at the top of the Championship as Boro made it 16 points from a possible 18 - the Teesside club's best ever start to a league season.

"It was a really good night for us in the end," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"It was a very tough game as you knew it was going to be. They're a very good team, Ryan's doing a very good job and they have good players, but we showed a lot of resilience tonight and that really pleased me.

"We had to show another side to ourselves. We've got lads still getting up to speed with English football and what we're doing and hopefully we're going to continue to improve as it goes on.

"We've not found our level yet and that is the exciting thing."

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards says there is a "good vibe around the place" following their 2-2 draw at Preston, as his side prepare for Friday's visit of West Bromwich Albion.

Boro currently sit top of the Championship table after going unbeaten in the opening stage of the season, winning four out of five games.

Middlesbrough's visit to Deepdale saw Edwards' men drop points for the first time this season, but it hasn't dampened the "good spirits" around the club.

"There has been a really good vibe around the place," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees. "The lads are in good spirits and long may that continue.

"I have no complaints whatsoever; it has been business as usual and our focus is on what is a really big game, a difficult game tomorrow.

"We value everyone so if someone hasn't played the minutes, I'm not someone that speaks to the 11 that are playing, it is not how things work.

"We value all the lads and we will give them all our time, as much as possible. We will always say hello and shake their hand - the door is always open, they know that."

West Brom's last two wins both came away from home - 3-2 at Wrexham and 1-0 at second-placed Stoke.

Middlesbrough will be missing Riley McGree, who is still out with a hamstring injury, and Dael Fry, who won't recover in time from a calf issue.

"It will be a really difficult game," Edwards added.

"Ryan Mason has done a really good job quickly and West Brom are always strong in this league from my experience of many years of being in and around this sort of level, as a player or managing. West Brom are always strong.

"They have started well with some really good individuals, a very well organised team. You can see a real clear way of how they play, which you would expect.

"I think it will be an exciting game as well. It will be two good teams that are playing with confidence so we are really looking forward to it."

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Edwards and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

The Championship weekend kicks-off on Friday night with arguably the game of the weekend.

Early pace-setters Middlesbrough welcome fifth-placed West Brom to the Riverside (20:00 BST), with the Baggies having seen their unbeaten start under Ryan Mason ended by Derby at The Hawthorns last time out.

Boro's perfect start under Rob Edwards was halted by a 2-2 draw at Preston last weekend meaning both sides will be keen to get back to winning ways on Teesside.

• Middlesbrough have won each of their past three league meetings with West Bromwich Albion without conceding, last winning four in a row versus the Baggies between 1994 and 1997.

• West Bromwich Albion have only won on one of their past seven league trips to Middlesbrough (D2 L4), winning 1-0 under Slaven Bilic in October 2019 through a Hal Robson-Kanu goal.

• Middlesbrough have picked up 13 points in five Championship games so far this season (W4 D1) – only two of the past 10 teams with 13+ points at this stage have then been promoted: Leeds United in 2019-20 and Fulham in 2021-22.

• West Bromwich Albion have won their past two away Championship matches, more than they won in their previous 20 on the road (W1 D11 L8). The last time the Baggies won three away in a row was their first three away games of 2024-25.

• Middlesbrough's Matt Targett has been involved in a goal in each of his two Championship games so far for the club (1 goal, 1 assist). Targett has ended on the winning side in 69.6% of his Championship appearances (16/23), the 10th best ratio of any player to make 20+ appearances since 2004-05.

"Middlesbrough showed the character to twice come from behind, especially the second time when Preston scored in the 88th minute and you think it's done and dusted."

"The manner of the draw, coming back and getting a draw with a last-minute goal in front of 5,600 away fans, you come away thinking that momentum is still building and the belief is there."

The Northern Echo's Dom Shaw joins Rob Law to look back at Middlesbrough's positive start to the season as they sit top of the Championship. And what does the late-goal drama at Deepdale mean for Boro's unbeaten season going forward?

Listen to the full episode with Dom Shaw and Rob Law and more on BBC Sounds

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards says that new signing David Strelec is "an exciting player" for the squad after the forward impressed while on international duty.

Strelec scored and provided an assist during Slovakia's 2-0 victory over Germany in World Cup qualifying and could make his debut for Boro on Saturday against Preston North End (12:30 BST) after joining on transfer deadline day.

"He's someone that our guys have been watching and keen on for a long time," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"He can playing a number of positions in that top line, probably different attributes to what we've got. A little bit bigger, probably a little bit stronger than one or two that are on the front line for us.

"The way we are playing at the moment, with that front three, he can play in any of those three positions which is really good for us."

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Edwards and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

Preston North End and Middlesbrough will face off on Saturday (12:30 BST) having each made impressive starts this season.

Preston have seven points from four games, getting notable wins against promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

Middlesbrough are currently the only side in the top four tiers of English football to have won their opening four games.

• Preston North End are unbeaten in each of their last three league matches against Middlesbrough (W2 D1) and have won six of their previous 10 league games against them (D1 L3).

• Middlesbrough have lost each of their last five away league games against Preston North End; they last lost six successive away league games to a side in May 2017, against Chelsea.

• Preston have won both of their home league games so far this season; they last won three in a row in the league at Deepdale in February 2024, with the third win in that run coming against Middlesbrough.

• Middlesbrough remain the only side in the Championship with a 100% record, winning all four of their games so far and conceding only once. They've never won their opening five league games of a Football League campaign before.

• Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway has scored in his last two league games, with both strikes ultimately acting as the winning goal. He last scored in three consecutive matches in August 2022 with Bristol City.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has been named Championship manager of the month for August.

Boro have won all of their opening four games to land them at the top of the table and give them their best start in 31 years.

Edwards, who was appointed in June following the dismissal of Michael Carrick, has earned praise from fans for his tactical adjustments and open attitude.

"It's a big team effort from everyone, players, staff and supporters, and it's great to get some recognition for that," Edwards said.

"There's a nice feeling around the place. I'm lucky to work with some good people, some good players, and I've really been welcomed by the fantastic supporters, so it's been good.

"It's been great to get some results early doors, equally, we're only four games in and there's 42 to go, so we're not getting carried away.

"Performances have been good – we've deserved the victories - and I think there's more to come from us. We have to focus on staying level and being consistent because we have some talent here."

The 40-year-old beat out Coventry City's Frank Lampard, West Bromwich Albion's Ryan Mason and Stoke City's Mark Robins for the award.