West Brom continues placing pressure on their promotion hopes this weekend when they play host to Middlesbrough. The match is scheduled for Saturday at the Hawthorns with kickoff at 6 pm.
The Baggies bounced back from their previous loss to Fulham with a 1-0 win over Hull City. On the other hand, Middlesbrough currently dropped points after two straight defeats.
The Baggies suffered their first defeat in four matches at the hands of Hull on Wednesday, but head coach Tony Pulis doesn’t feel that his players deserved their share of criticism.
The truth he faces is more nuanced. His first three months on the job have not gone well. Losing your first two home games is hardly unusual in English football, even if it is startling for Bristol City.
A team that had beaten Leeds, Newcastle and Leeds again had hit an evil spell just as others had feared they might after Lee Johnson left for Oldham Athletic following their Championship play-off final loss to Forest Green Rovers.
Middlesbrough’s impressive recent run of form has not gone unnoticed by the bookmakers, who have dramatically cut the odds on Aitor Karanka’s side with three straight victories.
On Tuesday night, the Ewood Park outfit was beaten 3-2 by Luton, Callum Harriott’s first-half double, putting the Hatters on course for a famous triumph.
West Brom vs Middlesbrough Head to Head
Both sides have 12 games against each other, with West Brom taking five wins while Middlesbrough has four wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- West Brom 1-0 Hull City
- Fulham 3-0 West Brom
- West Brom 3-0 Bristol City
- Swansea City 2-1 West Brom
- West Brom 1-0 Birmingham City
Away
- Luton Town 3-1 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 0-2 Birmingham City
- Cardiff City 0-2 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City
- Middlesbrough 2-0 Peterborough
West Brom Team News
How will West Brom boss Ismael make changes to his Baggies XI for the trip to The Hawthorns? Will he shuffle his pack? Here are four alternative line-ups that could take to the pitch at The Hawthorns.
Middlesbrough Team News
Middlesbrough – the 30-year-old defender Darnell Furlong, who was handed a one-match ban, is unlikely to be risked against his former club. Captain Grant McCann is missing with a hamstring injury.
Prediction and Odds
We can only back another home win for the Baggies, potentially by the odd goal in three.
West Brom Win
Both Teams to Score
Goals Under 3.5
