(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

West Brom could be on end of unwanted 28-year Middlesbrough first this weekend

Kyrenia Shipillis
Kyrenia Shipillis

Kyrenia has covered West Brom on West Brom News since 2025. She joined Breaking Media in 2025 and will graduate with a Master's in Sports Journalism from St Mary's University, Twickenham, in September. She has also written for the Sports Gazette and spent several months working for the Non-League Paper.

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West Brom will be looking to get back on the right track in the Championship on Friday. 

West Brom were handed their first Championship defeat against Derby County after former Baggies’ forward Andreas Weimann fired the Rams in front. 

This was not the first time Albion had tasted the bitter taste of defeat at the hands of Derby after West Brom were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on penalties. 

But Ryan Mason will be looking to redeem himself when Albion take on Middlesbrough in the Championship. 

West Brom manager Ryan Mason stares into the distance while wearing a club hoodie on the touchline.
Mason will want to make a statement against Middlesbrough (Credit: Imago)

Middlesbrough could make it four wins in a row vs West Brom

Samuel Iling-Junior is predicted to start for West Brom against Middlesbrough after coming from the bench to face the Rams. 

West Brom signed Iling-Junior on loan from Aston Villa on deadline day, and it is hoped he will aid Mason in guiding Albion to Premier League promotion. 

As well as a win, the Baggies will be hoping to prevent Middlesbrough from equalling a 28-year-old record. 

  • Middlesbrough have won each of their last three league meetings with Albion without conceding 
  • The last time Boro won four in a row versus the Baggies without conceding was between 1994 and 1997 

A win on Friday could prevent Middlesbrough from making it four in a row while getting them back on track in the Championship. 

West Brom target Samuel Iling-Junior glancing into the crowd during his time at Juventus.
Iling-Junior could start for the Baggies (Credit: Imago).

West Brom will have an attacking problem versus Middlesbrough 

The Baggies dominated Derby during their last confrontation, only to end the game with zero points and goals scored. 

According to Sofascore, Albion had taken 18 shots to the Rams’ four. Meanwhile, West Brom won 11 corner kicks, while Derby ended the game without a single one. 

While there is an argument to be made that the Rams put in a solid defensive performance, Albion were simply not clinical enough. 

As good as Aune Heggebo’s overall play seems to be, he has still failed to register a goal in the Championship, with Isaac Price Albion’s top scorer with three goals. 

As a result, Middlesbrough could continue their winning and impressive defensive streak on Friday if the Baggies do not up their goalscoring game. 

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Ryan Mason
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