Burnley vs Middlesbrough prediction 02.09.2026 | Championship
Burnley
Kick off:
Date:
Middlesbrough
1
2.80
X
3.40
2
2.40
Contents
- Competition: Championship
- Date: 2nd September 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Turf Moor
The EFL Championship never rests, does it? This week brings a proper heavyweight clash in Burnley. The Clarets are coming off a tough 4-1 reverse at Norwich City. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough cross over in high spirits, determined to shake up the promotional spots. Personally, I'll always remember watching these two lock horns back in 2023 when Burnley famously secured their Premier League promotion on Boro's turf. Since then, their last two encounters in December 2024 ended in cagey draws. Expect tactical chess mixed with pure, unadulterated chaos here. Who blinks first?
Burnley vs Middlesbrough Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Middlesbrough
0 : 0
Burnley
Championship
-
Burnley
1 : 1
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
1 : 2
Burnley
Championship
-
Burnley
3 : 1
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
0 : 0
Burnley
Premier League
-
Burnley
1 : 0
Middlesbrough
Premier League
Middlesbrough have historically made life surprisingly difficult for the Clarets. Looking at their last 10 competitive meetings, things are highly competitive with four wins for Burnley, one for Boro, and five draws. While Burnley secured a 2-1 away win in early 2023, Middlesbrough exacted revenge by holding them to draws in their last two encounters. The average number of goals per game in these 10 meetings stands at 1.7.
Burnley team overview
Burnley enters this one on the back of a bruising 4-1 defeat at Norwich City. The Clarets have had a miserable ride lately, failing to win any of their three opening Championship games.
Nicky Hayen’s men look completely out of sorts. It’s a shock to the system, especially after they suffered a painful relegation from the top flight last term. Honestly, watching them get dismantled last weekend felt surreal given their usual resilience.
Their form in the city of Burnley hasn't offered much comfort either. Turf Moor is far from a fortress right now, with the team currently winless at home since their 5-1 win over Millwall in the FA Cup in January.
To make matters worse, key attacker Zian Flemming, who kept them alive with two late goals against the Hammers, is a major worry. Defensively, Bashir Humphreys is definitely out with a knee injury.
Last matches of Burnley
-
Norwich City
4 : 1
Burnley
Championship
-
Bradford City
4 : 2
Burnley
Carabao Cup
-
West Bromwich Albion
3 : 1
Burnley
Championship
-
Burnley
2 : 2
West Ham United
Championship
-
Burnley
4 : 3
Notts County
Carabao Cup
Burnley lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Max Weiß
Defenders
-
2
Kyle Walker
-
4
Joe Worral
-
3
Max Alleyne
-
23
Lucas Pires
Midfielders
-
8
Ugo Raghouber
-
28
Hannibal Mejbri
-
10
Marcus Edwards
Forwards
-
21
Aaron Ramsey
-
7
Jacob Bruun Larsen
-
12
Dastan Satpayev
Middlesbrough team overview
Middlesbrough enters this one on the back of a commanding 3-1 home victory against West Bromwich Albion. The Boro have enjoyed a decent start to their campaign, bouncing back immediately from an earlier slip-up to secure six points out of nine.
Kim Hellberg’s men look hungry. It's a stark contrast to last season when they narrowly missed out on promotion, enduring heartbreak with a 1-0 defeat to Hull City in the playoff final.
Honestly, watching them get so close only to fall at the final hurdle was devastating. Their performances on the road need sorting out immediately, though. The squad is enduring a brutal travel patch, managing just one win from their last seven competitive away matches.
Thankfully, Will Lankshear is completely on fire, providing four huge goals already this term. Tommy Conway is also available for selection after recovering from surgery.
Last matches of Middlesbrough
-
Middlesbrough
3 : 1
West Bromwich Albion
Championship
-
Doncaster Rovers
1 : 3
Middlesbrough
Carabao Cup
-
Blackburn Rovers
2 : 1
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
2 : 1
Lincoln City F.C
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
1 : 0
Wrexham
Carabao Cup
Middlesbrough lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Radek Vítek
Defenders
-
2
Callum Brittain
-
12
Luke Ayling
-
29
Adilson Malanda
-
30
Neto Borges
Midfielders
-
17
Max Arfsten
-
10
Aidan Morris
-
14
Myles Peart-Harris
Forwards
-
8
Riley McGree
-
11
Morgan Whittaker
-
7
Will Lankshear
Prediction
It’s going to be a tense one. Burnley desperately needs a result to spark their season, but Middlesbrough possesses far too much tactical discipline to roll over easily. Neither side looks ready to completely dominate. A physical battle in the middle of the park will likely dictate the entire tempo. Personally, I always put money on a stalemate when these two meet because they just know how to cancel each other out. Expect a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Three reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this game
- Only three of the last 15 meetings between Burnley and Middlesbrough finished with over 2.5 goals.
- Five of the last seven home games of Burnley finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Bets on under 2.5 goals won in nine of the last ten meetings between Burnley and Middlesbrough at this ground.
Main prediction Burnley - Middlesbrough
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
22bet
2.05
Burnley vs Middlesbrough standings in Championship
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlton Athletic | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 - 2 | +3 | 9 |
| 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 - 4 | +5 | 7 |
| 3 | Swansea City | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 - 1 | +4 | 7 |
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 - 2 | +3 | 7 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 - 4 | +2 | 6 |
| 6 | Millwall | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 - 5 | +1 | 6 |
| 7 | West Bromwich Albion | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 - 5 | +1 | 6 |
| 8 | Birmingham City | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 - 3 | +1 | 5 |
| 9 | Watford | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 - 3 | +1 | 5 |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 - 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Bolton Wanderers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 - 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 12 | Bristol City | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 - 5 | -1 | 4 |
| 13 | Cardiff City | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 - 5 | 0 | 3 |
| 14 | Sheffield United | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 - 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 15 | Norwich City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 - 6 | -1 | 3 |
| 16 | Portsmouth | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 - 6 | -1 | 3 |
| 17 | Lincoln City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 - 5 | -2 | 3 |
| 18 | Southampton | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 - 4 | +5 | 2 |
| 19 | West Ham United | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 - 5 | -1 | 2 |
| 20 | Wrexham | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 - 4 | -1 | 2 |
| 21 | Derby County | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 - 7 | -4 | 1 |
| 22 | Burnley | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 - 9 | -5 | 1 |
| 23 | Preston North End | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 - 6 | -4 | 0 |
| 24 | Stoke City | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 - 9 | -6 | 0 |