David Prutton predicts result of West Brom clash v Middlesbrough for Sky Sports
David Prutton has predicted a narrow defeat for West Brom when they take on Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday (23 December).
Albion have won just one of their past four games, yet they remain fifth in the table and three points above Sunderland in seventh place.
Middlesbrough are six points worse off after an inconsistent campaign, but they beat Port Vale 3-0 in midweek to reach the EFL Cup semi-finals.
And Prutton has tipped a 3-2 win for Boro in his Championship predictions for Sky Sports [21 December].
“Middlesbrough are into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup,” he said. “They may be dwindling a little in the league this year, but that is certainly something to look forward to.
“Michael Carrick will be keen for them to stay focused on Championship matters, starting with a game they really need to win if they are to push back on towards the top six. I fancy a few goals, and Boro to edge it.
Inconsistent Boro
Middlesbrough snapped a three-game losing run in the Championship with a 2-1 win at Swansea City last week, but their campaign has been far too up-and-down so far.
The Smoggies are capable of stringing together long winning runs, or indeed long losing runs, and it appears they have just started to find their winning groove again.
West Brom have gone off the boil slightly of late, meanwhile, yet they are still firmly in the play-off zone ahead of quickfire fixtures with Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Leeds United and Swansea.
That is a tough run, particularly as their only win this month has come against bottom side Rotherham United.
Carlos Corberan will have been grateful for this week off, though, and this is a nice fixture for the Baggies to get things firmly back on track.
Three points will be the target at Riverside Stadium, which would ensure Albion remain in the play-offs as we edge towards the new year.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have announced the exit of a second player on loan.