Birmingham v Middlesbrough: play-off push meets top-two ambitions | OneFootball

Birmingham City host Middlesbrough in the Championship at St Andrew's on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with the hosts chasing the play-off picture and the visitors sitting third after a strong start.

Recent meetings have favoured Middlesbrough, including a 3-1 victory at St Andrew's in March 2026. Birmingham City have climbed to 10th after seven games, while Middlesbrough's rise to third underlines their early momentum.

Birmingham have lost one of seven league matches and picked up away wins at Wrexham and Derby, drawing at home with Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Boro arrive unbeaten in three league outings, including a 4-3 win over Norwich City and a 2-2 draw with Millwall.

Injuries could shape selection. Birmingham are without Demarai Gray, Patrick Roberts, Max Bird and Taylor Gardner Hickman, while Boro list defenders Alfie Jones and Adilson Malanda as injured.

On the pitch, Boro tend to control games, averaging 60% possession with 88.11% passing accuracy and 78 total shots. Will Lankshear sits second in the league scoring chart with six goals, while Luke Ayling and Tommy Conway have supplied assists. Birmingham may target width and aerial balls, having delivered 116 open-play crosses at 24.14% accuracy and scored five headed goals. Liam Millar leads their supply with three assists.

A win would move Birmingham to 13 points and could lift them into the play-off places. Victory for Boro would take them to 17 points, strengthening their position in the top end of the table and potentially nudging them towards the top two.