Ian Holloway predicts score for West Brom Championship clash v Middlesbrough
Ian Holloway has struggled to choose a winner between West Brom and Middlesbrough amid a Carlos Corberan and Michael Carrick showdown.
With 15 goals scored in the two sides’ previous five meetings, there is somewhat of a promise of an action-packed game. The Baggies have claimed all three points in the most recent two games, while also experiencing two draws.
However, with both teams in questionable form, Holloway was unable to pick a victor when asked for his prediction, foreseeing a draw on Saturday 23 December.
“I can only see this game finishing level. It’s too close to call,” the former Millwall manager said, as quoted by Football League World on Thursday (21 December).
“I’m going for Middlesbrough 1-1 West Brom.”
Topsy-turvy season
At home, Middlesbrough are 16th in the Championship table, while West Brom boast a seventh-place position in away form. On paper, a win for the Baggies would make sense.
However, West Brom’s recent form is rather poor, with just two wins in their last five matches. Losses to Leicester City and Sunderland have brought a rough feeling to The Hawthorns for the first time this season but a win on the road could put Carlos Corberan’s men back on track.
Just three points clear of seventh-place Sunderland, on 36 points, a win is vital for West Brom if they are to keep the chase up on Leeds United and Southampton, who are both vying for Premier League promotion.
Middlesbrough have their own problems, languishing in 13th with 30 points. However, a victory against the Baggies would see them move within three points of them and three points of the illusive play-off spots.
There is a lot to play for. Holloway could be correct with a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium as Carrick and Corberan battle it out.
In other West Brom news, the worst-case scenario has emerged to potentially end the season of a cursed luck Baggies man.