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This coming Saturday, the Riverside Stadium will roar back to life as it plays host to the curtain-raiser of the Championship 23/24 season – a clash between Middlesbrough and Millwall. This season opener is anticipated to be a thrilling contest that could possibly see both teams find the back of the net and may even conclude with a surprise Millwall victory, judging from their recent impressive away form.

Last season, Middlesbrough’s rise from relegation candidates to promotion contenders under the guidance of Michael Carrick, was a feat that earned them immense respect. Yet, their dreams of Premier League football were dashed when they unexpectedly lost to Coventry in the playoffs. However, with Carrick already bolstering his squad with top-tier loan additions and nine new signings, Middlesbrough will not go down without a fight.

Their additions include goalkeepers Seny Dieng, Tom Glover, and Jamie Jones, alongside Dutch defender Rav van den Berg and Australian winger Sam Silvera, who will be tested in the ruthless second tier of English football. Pre-season friendlies have been a mixed bag for Boro, securing just two wins out of seven games. Yet, the North-East outfit will be determined to shrug off their pre-season form and kickstart their campaign with a victory.

On the other hand, Millwall, managed by Gary Rowett, also narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last season. Despite the disappointment, the Lions are poised to bounce back stronger this season. Their summer signings, including left-back Joe Bryan, forward Kevin Nisbet, and former Belgium U-21 international Casper de Norre, are expected to add depth and quality to their lineup. Their pre-season friendlies have been more promising, suggesting they could well upset the apple cart in the upcoming game.

For Boro, last season’s top scorer Chuba Akpom is a notable absence due to injury, leaving a gap upfront that needs to be filled. Among the new signings, only Dieng and Morgan Rogers seem set to start, with Hayden Coulson expected to slot in at left-back.

Millwall boss Rowett, on the other hand, will be pondering his attacking options. Tom Bradshaw and Kevin Nisbet led the line in the Fortuna Sittard friendly, but Zian Flemming may return to the starting XI, potentially replacing one of the frontmen. George Saville could be seen in midfield against his former club, adding an interesting subplot to the match.

Considering their past encounters, Middlesbrough and Millwall have often been evenly matched, with 1-1 being the most common result. Middlesbrough have had a slight edge, with six wins from 13 home games against Millwall, compared to Millwall’s three victories. However, Millwall’s last win at the Riverside Stadium dates back to 2014 – an ominous sign they will be eager to overturn.

Last season, both teams secured home victories, with Middlesbrough winning 1-0 at the Riverside, and Millwall winning 2-0 at The Den. Importantly, Millwall has been impressive on the road lately, with a winning streak of three away matches. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough haven’t lost to Millwall at home in their last seven encounters, giving us a mouthwatering fixture to look forward to.

Considering the teams’ recent scoring patterns, Millwall have netted at least once in their last seven consecutive matches. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, have been strong at home, with a 91% win rate when leading 1-0. With both teams finding the net consistently, a goal apiece appears to be a strong possibility.

Interestingly, Middlesbrough tend to win the first half of their matches 26% of the time, while Millwall have a slightly higher rate at 28%. Given this stat, the possibility of an early lead for either team cannot be ruled out.

In conclusion, the season opener between Middlesbrough and Millwall at the Riverside Stadium is shaping up to be an engrossing contest. With both teams eager to start their campaigns on a high, an entertaining game with goals from both ends of the pitch is very likely. Despite the historical advantage with Middlesbrough, Millwall’s recent form and strengthened squad suggest they could snatch a victory in this encounter, marking an exciting start to the Championship 23/24 season. Let the games begin!