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Middlesbrough v Swansea
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Competition - Sky Bet Championship
Venue - Riverside Stadium
Date - 10 August 2024
Kick off - 12:30pm
Following a Summer period that has seen over a dozen departures from the first team squad, and so far only a handful of new recruits, Luke Williams’ new look Swansea squad have to travel to the North East to face Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough in their first Championship match of the 24/25 season.
The Swans appear to have recruited better this Summer than 12 months ago although the proof of the pudding …..
New signings Lawrence Vigouroux, Žan Vipotnik, Eom Ji Sung and Goncalo Franco are all expected to make their competitive debuts for the Swans, although Vipotnik may have to come off the bench to make his Swansea bow.
Middlesbrough wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Heerenveen on Saturday, bringing to an end a positive run of summer friendlies that sets them up nicely for this weekend's opening game of the Championship season.
In total, Michael Carrick's side won four of their six pre-season friendlies and lost only the one - that their first of the summer, played behind closed doors in Portugal during their training camp. For Carrick, while results don't matter, the progression of his side in terms of rhythm and tempo ahead of the Swans’ visit was encouraging.
Arguably, Boro’s most eye catching Summer signing was Aidan Morris - travelling across the Pond to join Boro this summer, there were always going to be questions as to how Morris would adapt at Boro.
So far so good for the midfielder who has looked comfortable on the ball and tenacious off it. Encouragingly, he looks more than up to the physical challenge of English football. The battle between Morris and Franco on Saturday could prove pivotal.
The Swans have played Boro on 56 previous occasions, winning 19, drawing 12 and losing 25.
In last season’s corresponding fixture, the Swans lost 2-0:
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Turning to Saturday, Sam Allison will be the man in the middle.
This will be the fifth time that Allison – a former firefighter – has taken charge of a Swans game, having had the whistle for three fixtures last term.
During the 2023-24 campaign Allison oversaw defeats against Leeds United, Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers.
The man from Chippenham began his journey as a footballer, and was on the books at clubs including Swindon Town, Exeter City, and Bristol City before becoming a referee in non-league in 2011.
He was added to the professional rota in 2020, and impressive performances in the lower leagues saw him promoted to Select Group 2 in the summer of 2023.
On Boxing Day, 2023 he made his Premier League debut when he officiated the clash between Luton Town and Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
He later took charge of his second top-flight match on March 13 when Bournemouth mounted a dramatic second-half comeback to beat Luton Town.
On Saturday, Allison will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Jonathan Hunt. Aaron Bannister is set to be the fourth official.
As for the outcome? No idea, opening fixtures are notoriously difficult to predict.
However, the Swans rarely win their opening fixtures and I suspect that this coming Saturday will be no different.
I’m going 2-0 to Boro - hope I’m wrong
