Middlesbrough host West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium in a huge encounter in the play-off race.
Locked on 41 points apiece in seventh and sixth positions respectively, victory could see Middlesbrough or West Brom go fifth if Blackburn fail to beat Coventry.
A win though would lift Boro above the Baggies and back into the top six.
Team News
Anfernee Dijksteel and Riley McGree are doubts for Middlesbrough after they sat out the 2-1 loss at Portsmouth with knocks.
Sol Brynn (shoulder), Seny Dieng (knock), Jonny Howson (knock), Tommy Conway (hamstring), Alex Bangura (Achilles), Darragh Lenihan (fitness/Achilles) and Tommy Smith (Achilles) are still sidelined.
West Brom could welcome Kyle Bartley back into contention after he missed their last two games with a knock.
Josh Maja (leg), Semi Ajayi (hamstring) and Daryl Dike (Achilles) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host West Brom at Riverside Stadium on Tuesday 21 January at 7:45pm GMT, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have claimed seven points in their last five meetings against West Brom (W2, D1, L2).
- West Brom have won one of their last five visits to Middlesbrough (W1, D1, L3).
- Three of Boro’s last five home meetings against West Brom ended in 1-0 results, with Boro winning two of those three specific fixtures.
- Middlesbrough have kept clean sheets in two of their last four home games (W1, D3).
- West Brom have conceded first in three of their last four away games (D2, L2).
Prediction
With a mixture of wasteful finishing after taking the lead plus some poor defensive moments having cost them at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough must reset and try to play with more clinical composure especially if go 1-0 up as they need to kill games off if want to push for a play-off spot.
West Brom though are again under the management of their and ex Boro boss, Tony Mowbray so will be eager to try and make a good first impression, especially after a sluggish draw against Stoke despite their dominance but they importantly did well to grind out a point after falling behind early in the game.
I therefore wouldn’t be surprised if this is scrappy and a single goal is the difference but both teams should have a draw in them here.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 WBA
Result: Middlesbrough 2-0 WBA
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