Neil Warnock’s men come up against recently-relegated Fulham on Sunday afternoon, and will be aiming to get their promotion hopes off to a positive start with a win.
Last season, Boro were edged out by Watford in a 1-0 defeat in the opening match of the campaign, but how are they likely to get on this time around?
The boffins at Bookmakers.tv have been flicking back through the history books to see how every Championship club have fared on their 10 most recent opening day outings, and we’ve compiled a league table showcasing the results.
Will it be a positive return to action in the second tier for Warnock’s side, or will it be disappointment at the first hurdle?
Click and scroll through the pages below to read our countdown of all the standings...
. SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: A general view of the Puma EFL match ball prior to the Carabao Cup First Round match between Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town at Hillsborough on August 01, 2021 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
EFL match ball. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Photo: George Wood
. Blackburn Rovers - 24th
Won: 0
Drawn: 4
Lost: 6
Goal Difference: -8
Points: 4
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Photo: Lewis Storey
. Stoke City - 23rd
Won: 0
Drawn: 4
Lost: 6
Goal Difference: -7
Points: 4
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Pantling
. Huddersfield Town - 22nd
Won: 2
Drawn: 1
Lost: 7
Goal Difference: -9
Points: 7
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Photo: George Wood
. Middlesbrough - 21st
Won: 1
Drawn: 5
Lost: 4
Goal Difference: -2
Points: 8
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) Photo: Ross Kinnaird
. Barnsley - 20th
Won: 3
Drawn: 1
Lost: 6
Goal Difference: -6
Points: 10
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Photo: Lewis Storey
. Preston North End - 19th
Won: 2
Drawn: 4
Lost: 4
Goal Difference: -3
Points: 10
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Photo: Jan Kruger
. Coventry City - 18th
Won: 3
Drawn: 1
Lost: 6
Goal Difference: 0
Points: 10
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) Photo: Ross Kinnaird
. Cardiff City - 17th
Won: 3
Drawn: 3
Lost: 4
Goal Difference: -4
Points: 12
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Photo: Justin Setterfield
1. Blackburn Rovers - 24th
Won: 0
Drawn: 4
Lost: 6
Goal Difference: -8
Points: 4
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Photo: Lewis Storey
2. Stoke City - 23rd
Won: 0
Drawn: 4
Lost: 6
Goal Difference: -7
Points: 4
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Pantling
3. Huddersfield Town - 22nd
Won: 2
Drawn: 1
Lost: 7
Goal Difference: -9
Points: 7
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Photo: George Wood
4. Middlesbrough - 21st
Won: 1
Drawn: 5
Lost: 4
Goal Difference: -2
Points: 8
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) Photo: Ross Kinnaird