Pick of the stats: Middlesbrough v Sheffield United
- Published
One of the most intriguing games of the weekend takes place at the Riverside on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST) as a fairytale start and a nightmare start converge.
New boss Rob Edwards' Middlesbrough have won all three games and sit joint-top of the early Championship table with Stoke whereas Ruben Selles, the new man in the Sheffield United dugout, has overseen three defeats to leave the Blades bottom of the table with only pointless Oxford United for company.
Middlesbrough are unbeaten across their past eight home league games against Sheffield United (W6 D2), keeping six clean sheets across that stint since a 2-1 defeat in October 1997.
After winning their last meeting with Middlesbrough 3-1 in February, Sheffield United will be looking to claim successive victories over Boro for the first time since September 2006 (three wins).
Middlesbrough have won each of their opening three league games this season and will be looking to win their opening four for the first time since 1994-95, a season during which they were promoted to the Premier League.
Sheffield United have lost each of their opening three league games this season, last losing four in succession to open a campaign outside the top-flight in 1995-96.
Middlesbrough have lost each of their last three league games against sides from Yorkshire, last enduring a longer run against sides from the county between February and April 2022 (four games).
