West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough Premier League | Predictions | Alignments | Key statistics and betting tips

Prediction – West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Middlesbrough

Recent form

As West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough prepare to face off at The Hawthorns, both teams bring a different drive to their Championship clash. West Bromwich Albion have been in commendable form, securing four wins in their last five league games. His latest victories City of LeicesterSwansea City and Hull City, both away from home, show their ability to secure results on the road. A narrow home win against Queens Park Rangers further underlines their resilience, although their only rejection came in a narrow 1-2 defeat at Bristol City. On the other hand, Middlesbrough come into the game with a mixed bag of results but seem to be gaining momentum. An emphatic 4-0 home win over Southampton highlights their attacking potential, while a solid 2-0 win at home to Bristol City adds to their recent success. However, their form has been inconsistent, with a shock 0-1 home defeat to Hull City and a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers indicating some struggles to maintain consistency. However, they secured a crucial 1-0 win at Derby County, which could boost their confidence. In their recent head-to-head matches, Middlesbrough have had the upper hand, winning four of the last five meetings against West Bromwich Albion. Such dominance could provide Middlesbrough with a psychological advantage, despite West Brom’s current strong form. Overall, this game promises to be a compelling contest between West Brom’s recent winning streak and Middlesbrough’s historic superiority in their head-to-head battles.

West Bromwich Albion last 5 league games

West Bromwich Albion have put in a mixed bag of performances in their last few Championship outings, indicative of a side still looking for consistency as the season progresses. In their last five matches in the League, they have managed three victories against City of LeicesterSwansea City and Hull City, while suffering a narrow defeat at home to Bristol City. Their resilience on the road is worth noting, having kept a clean sheet in two of those away games, underscoring their defensive discipline. Statistical analysis reveals a team capable of adapting their style of play to different opponents, as evidenced by possession statistics. In games where they controlled the ball less, such as against Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion showed efficiency and tactical discipline, winning despite having just 41% possession. However, their defeat to Bristol City, despite dominating possession, highlights a potential vulnerability when it comes to turning dominance into results, suggesting a need for more incisive attacking play. The current injury list, with Tammer Bany out with a torn hamstring, limits his options, especially in terms of depth. However, the expected formation shows a solid core, with similar Chris Mepham i Nat Phillips add stability to the defense. in the middle of the field Jayson Molumby Alex Mowatt will be expected to play a pivotal role in transitioning play and maintaining control Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston provide creativity and breadth. At forward, Aune Heggebø will be in charge of leading the attack, relying on the service of the sides and midfield. Given their recent performances, West Bromwich Albion are likely to take a balanced approach in their next game, looking to exploit their defensive solidity while taking advantage of counter-attacking opportunities. The challenge will be turning possession into tangible scoring opportunities, an area where they have shown inconsistency. Overall, the combination of a good squad and the momentum of recent wins positions them well for a competitive game at The Hawthorns.

Middlesbrough Last 5 league games

Middlesbrough’s recent performances in the Championship have shown a team capable of both dominance and frustration. Their last five matches have resulted in three wins, a draw and a solitary defeat, reflecting a good run of form. A standout performance came in the 4-0 win against Southampton, where Middlesbrough controlled 56% of possession and dominated set pieces with 11 corners. This game highlighted his attacking prowess and his ability to capitalize on opportunities, demonstrated by his efficient use of 2 assists and a clean sheet in defence. By contrast, their 0-1 defeat by Hull City was a stark contrast as Middlesbrough had 71% possession and numerous corners (10) failed to convert into goals. This match highlighted a potential vulnerability in breaking down compact defenses despite dominating the ball. These performances suggest that while Middlesbrough can control the tempo, they sometimes struggle to convert possession into goals, a weakness they need to address. Regarding the player’s availability, the injury a Collapse of Lenihana key defensive figure, due to ankle surgery, could put additional pressure on the projected back line of Matt Targett, Luke AylingAlex Bangura and Adilson Malanda. However, the defensive unit has been largely resilient, as seen in their clean sheets against Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, indicating a well-organised backline despite Lenihan’s absence. The predicted line-up suggests a balanced approach, with Sol Brynn in goal and a midfield organized by Hayden Hackney and Delano Burgzorg. The inclusion of Morgan Whittaker and Aidan Morris provides creativity and work rate, while Tommy Conway leads the attack. The team’s ability to adapt and capitalize on the dynamism of their midfield will be crucial, especially against opponents who sit deep. Middlesbrough’s approach will likely be to retain possession and apply pressure through set pieces, exploiting any defensive lapses from their opposition.

Team news and injuries

West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions

• Tammer Bany (torn thigh muscle)

Middlesbrough injuries and suspensions

• Darragh Lenihan (ankle surgery)

Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.

H2H Last 5

Detailed H2H analysis

The head-to-head record between West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough during their last five meetings shows a clear dominance of Middlesbrough, who have won four of the five matches. West Bromwich Albion’s only win in this period came on 26 August 2023, when they secured a 4–2 home win, showing their attacking prowess with 59% possession and efficient use of their chances. That victory was marked by a formidable attacking display, although it was marred by a red card for Middlesbrough. By contrast, Middlesbrough have consistently found ways to secure wins, often capitalizing on their defensive solidity and capitalizing on counter-attacks. In particular, Middlesbrough’s last three wins have been characterized by narrow margins and strategic play, such as their 1–0 home win on 1 October 2024, where they managed to maintain a slight advantage in possession despite West Brom’s home advantage. Heading into the next game at The Hawthorns, the dynamic may change slightly given the current squad conditions and absences. West Bromwich Albion will be without Tammer Bany, which could affect their depth in midfield, while Middlesbrough will miss the defensive contributions of Darragh Lenihan due to ankle surgery. Both teams, however, have solid lineups with players capable of making major impacts. West Brom’s expected line-up features a solid defensive pairing Chris Mepham i Nat Phillipsalongside dynamic midfielders like Jayson Molumby i Karlan Grantwhich will be crucial in dictating the game. On the other hand, Middlesbrough’s line-up displays a balanced mix of defensive resilience and midfield creativity, with players like Matt Targett i Delano Burgzorg willing to control the flanks. The game could depend on which team effectively executes their tactical plans and adapts to the flow of the game, with West Brom looking to assert their home advantage and Middlesbrough aiming to maintain their positive trend in this game.

Expected lineups

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Players: Josh Griffiths (Goalkeeper),Chris Mepham (Defender),Nat Phillips (Defender)Callum Styles (Defender),George Campbell (Defender),Jayson Molumby (Midfielder),Karlan Grant (Midfielder)Mikey Johnston (Midfielder), Isaac Jude Price (Midfielder), Alex Mowatt (Midfielder), Aune Heggebø (Forward)

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Players: Sol Brynn (Porter),Matt Targett (Defender),Luke Ayling (Defender)Alex Bangura (Defender),Adilson Malanda (Defender)Hayden Hackney (Midfielder),Delano Burgzorg (Midfielder)Morgan Whittaker (Midfielder),Aidan Morris (Midfielder)Sam Silvera (Midfielder), Tommy Conway (Forward)