Middlesbrough have won their last three league games against Birmingham City since losing back-to-back games against them in 2021.

Birmingham have won two of their last three away league games against Middlesbrough but lost their most recent trip in October 2022, a 1-0 defeat.

After winning none of their first seven league games this season (D2 L5), Middlesbrough have won their last four in a row. It’s their third run of 4+ consecutive league wins under Michael Carrick in his 41 games in charge so far (excl. play-offs).

This will be the first league match in charge for new Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney, who has replaced John Eustace. Rooney won 30% of his Championship games in charge of Derby (24/79, excluding games jointly in charge) in his only previous stint as manager in English football.

Middlesbrough have scored the first goal in each of their last three league games, after not doing so in any of their previous 12 Championship matches (incl. play-offs). They have won 20 of their last 22 home games when scoring first (D2) since a 2-1 defeat to Preston in November 2021.

Sky Bet Championship: Pre-match stat pack

Sky Bet Championship: Pre-match stat pack