Preview: Middlesbrough vs West Brom – team news, prediction, lineups
Tony Mowbray will be eager to begin his second stint at West Brom in winning fashion when his side travel to Middlesbrough in the Championship.
The 61-year-old was present at The Hawthorns for the 1-1 draw against Stoke City on Saturday (18 January) after he signed a deal to succeed Carlos Corberan the day before, 16 years after he left the Black Country outfit.
However, Albion fans will be relieved to learn that the long-awaited search for a managerial appointment is over and that the attention can now turn to launching a bid for Premier League promotion.
Preview
Interim Baggies boss Chris Brunt did well to keep the ship afloat while Shilen Patel scoured European football for a new figurehead at The Hawthorns.
Brunt picked up a respectable six points from 12 available in his last four outings, going undefeated after the 2-0 loss against Derby County on Boxing Day.
Damia Abella sent a heartfelt message to the supporters following the end of his interim duties, but with a new manager at the helm, the real work can begin.
Albion are in the final playoff spot heading into the clash on Tyneside, with Middlesbrough only trailing by goal difference.
A win would boost their playoff hopes and reassure Patel that he has made the right decision to bring Mowbray back to the West Midlands.
The Baggies lost the reverse fixture on home soil, falling 1-0 against Michael Carrick’s men courtesy of a Hayden Hackney goal.
But still, the players will be eager to send a statement of intent to Mowbray on Tuesday (21 January) – with no one’s position safe in the side – to set up a fiery encounter at Riverside Stadium.
Form Guide [Championship]
Middlesbrough: LDWDD
West Brom: DDWDL
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
West Brom 0-1 Middlesbrough (1 October, 2024)
Middlesbrough 1-0 West Brom (23 December, 2023)
West Brom 4-2 Middlesbrough (26 August, 2023)
West Brom 2-0 Middlesbrough (25 February, 2023)
Middlesbrough 1-1 West Brom (30 July, 2022)
Team News for Middlesbrough v West Brom
Mowbray will begin his reign at The Hawthorns without star striker Josh Maja, who will be sidelined for “the next few weeks” after sustaining an injury in the 5-1 loss against Bournemouth in the FA Cup on 11 January.
The Baggies are still without Semi Ajayi and Daryl Dike, with Kyle Bartley a doubt to feature on Tuesday.
Carrick also boasts several injury absentees heading into the clash as Tommy Smith, Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Conway and Sol Brynn are all confirmed to miss out.
Middlesbrough are also awaiting further news on Anfernee Dijksteel and Riley McGree.
Predicted lineups for Middlesbrough v West Brom
Middlesbrough: Glover, Ayling, Berg, Fry, Borges, Hackney, Morris, Doak, Azaz, Burgzorg, Latte Lath
West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Holgate, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows, Diangana, Johnstone, Grant
Where to watch?
The match at the Riverside Stadium kicks off at 7:45pm GMT on Tuesday (21 January) and will be available live on Sky Sports+ and available for streaming on the SkyGO and NOWTV apps.
Alternatively, supporters can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio West Midlands.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 West Brom
Had Maja been fit and available for the clash, the odds would have slightly swung in the visitors’ direction, but this is no easy task for Mowbray upon his return.
Middlesbrough have kept pace in the playoff hunt this year and, despite falling to a 2-1 loss against Portsmouth last time out, have proven a tricky opponent to beat at the Riverside.
The Baggies will be up for this one and eager to impress Mowbray, but all roads are leading to a share of the spoils on Tyneside, which is a reasonable result considering the circumstances.
In other West Brom news, Tony Mowbray’s speech to the Albion squad has been revealed after his appointment.
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