Matt Grimes | It will be a tough encounter, but we're in a good place

Matt Grimes expects Swansea City to face a tough test at Middlesbrough this weekend but believes the intensity of their pre-season programme has the visitors in a good place ahead of the Championship opener.

The Swans head to Boro this Saturday, kicking off their 2024-25 campaign at the Riverside Stadium (12.30pm). 

Luke Williams' side rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 win against Rio Ave last weekend, and skipper Grimes is confident the hard work put in on the training ground - along with four new additions to the squad - puts the Swans in a solid position heading to Teesside.

“We’re feeling good, we’ve had a good pre-season, it’s been a really tough six weeks. The lads look like they’re in a good place," said Grimes.

“We’ve been hard at work for the last six weeks; we’ve had double sessions nearly every day. 

“It was quite a long time off initially, so it was nice to come in and refocus for a couple of days and get back in touch with the ball. 

“From the Rio Ave game, everyone looked in a good place. With league games, the emotions are a different kettle of fish, and we need to be equipped to handle that as well. 

“I think Middlesbrough will certainly be play-off contenders this season, so it’ll be a good test to see where we’re at for the first game of the season. 

“We have made a lot of progress since we last played Middlesbrough, we weren't ourselves that day. 

“We will be hoping to give a much better account of ourselves on Saturday."