Middlesbrough and Swansea City have both made very different starts to the 18/19 Championship campaign, as the two sides meet at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Tony Pulis' side come into the fixture in 2nd place having lost just the once this season, as well as winning five teams and drawing twice, whereas Graham Potter's Swansea travel to the North East in search of their first win in three whilst sitting in 10th position.

With Boro looking to gain momentum on 1st placed Leeds United, and Swansea looking to regain their position in the playoff places, FLW provides you with a stat pack for Saturday's fixture, with both teams looking for all three points.

 

Middlesbrough are expected to name a similar starting XI to the one that defeated Bolton Wanderers by two goals to nil in midweek.

There could be a potential change with Mo Besic replacing Adam Clayton in midfield, to partner Jonny Howson and Wednesday night's goalscorer George Saville.

Swansea have been hit with an injury crisis of late, with the unlikely midfield duo of Kyle Naughton and Matt Grimes set to keep their place in the starting XI, with Leroy Fer, Jay Fulton, Tom Carroll and Bersant Celina all still out with injury.

In terms of changes, there could be as many as three to the side that fell victims to a 1-0 defeat against Stoke City on Tuesday night, with Oli McBurnie, Joel Asoro and Barrie McKay all looking likely to replace Wayne Routledge, Daniel James and George Byers at the weekend.

The Swans have beaten Boro in three of their last six meetings, something Pulis will be looking to change as the North East side have picked up just the one win in that time.

Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga will looking to build on their tally of 3 goals each for the season on Saturday, the latter came off the bench in midweek to net his 18th goal in Boro colours.

The player who has scored the most amount of goals this season between the two teams however, is Oli McBurnie who has 4 goals to his name, and will be looking to add to that tally after coming on as a substitute in midweek.

Finally, looking at the stats, Middlesbrough look the more dangerous going forward averaging 12.8 shots per game, compared to Swansea's 9.5 shots per game.

The Welsh side dominate Boro in terms of other stats however, with their average possession being 2.7% higher than Boro's, as well as amassing more average dribbes and more average tackles per game too.