Burnley - Middlesbrough

Burnley enter this matchday 4 Championship clash looking to steady their season after a challenging run, which included a heavy 4-1 defeat to Norwich City on 29 August 2026. The home side has struggled to find a consistent rhythm in recent weeks, and they will be without the suspended Josh Laurent as they look to reset their campaign. In contrast, Middlesbrough arrive at Turf Moor with momentum, having secured a convincing 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in their most recent outing. While Middlesbrough will be missing the injured Jeremy Sarmiento, their recent form across both league and cup competitions suggests a side finding their stride.

History between these two teams often results in tightly contested affairs, such as the 0-0 draw played on 29 December 2024. With Burnley expected to field an XI featuring Zian Flemming and Dastan Satpaev, and Middlesbrough relying on the likes of Will Lankshear and Morgan Whittaker, both teams will be eager to assert control early. As the Championship season begins to take shape, this encounter at Turf Moor serves as a critical test of whether Burnley can recover their defensive composure or if Middlesbrough can maintain their winning trajectory.