West Brom vs Middlesbrough prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-08-25 14:00.
Whilst West Bromwich Albion are yet to keep a competitive clean sheet this season (W1, D1, L2), they have at least picked up four of the last six available points, most recently claiming a solid 1-1 draw against Leeds. Manager Carlos Corberán bemoaned his side for being “too focused on defending” when ahead in that game, a mindset which hasn’t served the Baggies well given they’ve conceded exactly twice in three of their four competitive outings this term.
The Spanish boss told local press that he will focus more on attack ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough, a side he has beaten in three of his five personal H2Hs (W3, L2). Bringing further improvement to that positive record isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, with the latest 2-0 victory in that sequence forming part of an imperious run of home league form for West Brom since November 2022 (W11, D3, L1).
Looking to put a dent in that record are floundering promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough, who only scored their first league goal and picked up their first point of the campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Huddersfield last weekend. The most notable takeaway from that game was the lively performances from new signings Emmanuel Latte Lath and Lukas Engel on debut, both of which brought some much needed pace and creativity to a side struggling in front of goal.
The long-suffering Boro away faithful have not seen their beloved side win on the road since a 3-1 win over Swansea in early March (D2, L4). Worse yet, the scorers of all three goals on that day have since left the club, thus heightening the need for further additions in the final stages of the transfer window. Perhaps one of the few positives Middlesbrough can boast is a run of just one defeat across their previous five visits to the Hawthorns (W3, D1).
Players to watch: John Swift has arguably been West Brom’s most consistent performer this season, with three 7.0+ Flashscore ratings and a goal to his name, whilst he also scored against this opposition last season. Recently described as “a Premier League player in all but name” by The Athletic, Boro academy product Hayden Hackney scored his side’s first league goal of the campaign. He may not be too disgruntled to hit though road either, as his last three assists came in away action.
Hot stat: Middlesbrough have been defeated in 70% of their league games as pre-match outsiders since the start of last season, a Championship high (W2, D1, L7).