2026-27 Sky Bet Championship: Week 13 – Saturday

Championship leaders, Middlesbrough entertain struggling Charlton in a crucial clash affecting both ends of the table.

Victory would see Middlesbrough stay top of the Championship, whilst Charlton can climb as high as 13th with a win if results elsewhere go in their favour.

 

Team News

David Strelec is back in contention for Middlesbrough following his recovery from a knock suffered whilst on international duty for Slovakia.

Rokas Puktas (hamstring) and Alfie Jones (calf) are still sidelined.

Charlton could welcome Nathaniel Chalobah and Matty Godden back from respective thigh and hamstring injuries, subject to fitness checks.

Collins Sichenje remains absent with a long-term knee injury.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Middlesbrough host Charlton at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday 31 October at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Middlesbrough have lost just two of their last 14 league meetings against Charlton (W10, D2, L2).
• Charlton have won one of their last seven league visits to Middlesbrough (W1, D1, L5).
• Three of Middlesbrough’s last four meetings against Charlton have been settled by 1-0 results – of which Boro won two of those three games to Charlton’s one, whilst Boro also won 2-1 away at The Valley in that period.
• 14 of Middlesbrough’s 25 points in their first 12 league matches have been earned at home (W4, D2).
• Charlton are on a nine-match winless streak coming into this match (D5, L4).

 

Prediction

Now sat top of the table after a ruthless 5-1 win at Bolton in which they looked energetic and dangerous from the get-go coupled with some slices of luck elsewhere, Middlesbrough now need to use their position as motivation to try and stay top and avoid stumbling as they’ve done in the past.

Charlton meanwhile started well at Norwich then lost their way defensively once in front which is a big concern coming into this game, where they absolutely have to do basic defending correctly as they do have the firepower to cause Boro some issues if they can keep it tight.

I however do think that their win here in April was a rare slice of fortune because Boro at that point lacked quality up front, which isn’t the case this time so I am expecting a solid home win unless Charlton can pull treats out of their Halloween bag.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 3-1 Charlton