West Bromwich VS Middlesbrough Match Prediction

West Brom have beaten Middlesbrough four times in a row in the league and the Baggies have also kept clean sheets in each one of those matches, so the head-to-head record is strongly against the visitors for this game. The last meetings between the two sides took place in the Championship in then 2009/10 season, with West Brom winning 5-0 away and 2-0 at home.

On three of the last four times Middlesbrough have visited West Brom in recent years, a red card has been shown by the referee. 

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West Brom v Middlesbrough: Prediction

A 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the season is West Brom's only Premier League win from their last 11 matches, so there is some pressure on manager Tony Pulis to produce an upturn in form, especially as his side went out of the EFL Cup at the first hurdle to lower-league opposition in midweek. Middlesbrough also lost in the cup, losing 2-1 in extra-time at Fulham, so both teams will be looking to bounce back. West Brom are usually hard to break down at home and a very close game with little goal action would appear to be inevitable here.

West Brom v Middlesbrough: Betting Tips

The draw looks to provide the best value from the match odds market for this Premier League game, offered at a price of 28/13, while hosts West Brom are at 13/8 and visitors Middlesbrough can be backed at 11/5 to get their second successive away victory in the league.

A tight match looks a certainty so under 2.5 goals could be a wise selection, even if 4/7 is not the most appealing price, while the any time goalscorer market throws up a couple of intriguing options too. Stuani struck twice last weekend and can be backed at 10/3 to get on the scoresheet again, while McAuley has hit two goals in two games despite being a defender and is at 11/1.

West Brom won their opening league game of the season but have since lost back to back matches, going out of the EFL Cup on penalties to Northampton Town of League One on Tuesday night. Manager Tony Pulis is still without Chris Brunt due to a serious knee injury, while Saido Berahino is likely to be left on the bench after missing a penalty in the EFL shoot-out defeat. Centre-back Gareth McAuley has scored two goals in his last two games for West Brom.

West Bromwich Albion likely XI:

Cristhian Stuani struck twice in a 2-1 win for Middlesbrough at Sunderland last weekend in the Premier League, with coach Aitor Karanka expected to name a similar starting line-up here. Goalkeeper Victor Valdes could be fit to return, which would see Brad Guzan drop to the bench. Midfielders Grant Leadbitter and Marten de Roon are not expected to be fit, however.

Middlesbrough likely XI:

There is unlikely to be a lot of excitement in this Premier League match, with both teams likely to be relatively happy with a point. West Brom might see Boro at home as a winnable game, but Aitor Karanka\'s men can take confidence from their 2-1 win at Sunderland in the Wear-Tees Derby last time out. A close game with few goals, possibly a low-scoring draw.

West Brom have failed to win 10 of their last 11 matches in the Premier League.