Relegation-battling West Bromwich Albion host promotion-chasing Middlesbrough in a huge Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory would lift West Brom up from 18th to 15th position in the table and ten points clear of the drop, whilst Middlesbrough will stay second with a win and move to within three points of league leaders – Coventry.
Team News
Ousmane Diakite is ruled out for West Brom after he was granted compassionate leave due to a family death.
Jayson Molumby (foot) is unlikely to feature after he missed the Baggies’ FA Cup victory at Swansea, whilst Alex Mowatt (foot) too was absent but is ruled out of this clash too.
Tammer Bany remains absent with a thigh injury.
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns after their FA Cup exit at Fulham, with new signing, Fin Munroe set to be available following his transfer from Aston Villa.
Lukas Engel isn’t available as he nears a permanent transfer to Real Salt Lake.
Callum Brittain (ankle), Alex Bangura, George Edmundson (both unspecified), Alfie Jones (ankle), Riley McGree (hamstring), Kaly Sene (leg), David Strelec (knock) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
West Brom host Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Friday 16 January at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- West Brom have claimed seven points from three of their last seven meetings against Middlesbrough (W2, D1, L4).
- Middlesbrough have lost two of their last seven visits to West Brom (W3, D2, L2).
- West Brom are looking to avoid registering five consecutive league defeats against Boro for the first time since a six-match streak between May 1938 – September 1951.
- West Brom have won just two of their last eight league matches (W2, L6).
- No Middlesbrough player has completed more passes than Hayden Hackney in the Championship this season (1,390).
Prediction
With Eric Ramsay now in charge following his appointment after their FA Cup win at Swansea, West Brom players have spent the week adapting to his aggressive style so it is hard to know what to expect other than a likely high-intensity press and fast-paced transitions plus a low defensive block.
Boro’s injuries meanwhile have shown no signs of abating but now that their FA Cup adventure is already over, it might be a blessing in disguise because they can now solely focus on their promotion push, but they will need to be careful of West Brom’s likely fast transitions which will test their vulnerable defence.
As nice as it would be to see West Brom enjoy a winning start under Ramsay, all eyes will be on them which might suit Boro if can unlock the likely low block but a draw feels a fair call given that neither team are in solid defensive form at present.
Prediction: WBA 1-1 Middlesbrough
Result: WBA 2-3 Middlesbrough
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