West Brom vs Middlesbrough prediction, betting tips and odds: Baggies' brilliant defence can keep Boro at bay
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Where to watch West Brom vs Middlesbrough
You can watch West Brom vs Middlesbrough in the Championship at 8pm on Tuesday October 1, live on Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports Main Event
Match prediction & best bet
West Brom to win to nil
1pt 7-2 Betfair, BoyleSports
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West Brom vs Middlesbrough odds
West Brom 6-4
Middlesbrough 19-10
Draw 12-5
Odds correct at time of publishing
West Brom vs Middlesbrough predictions
West Brom lost their unbeaten record on Saturday but stayed top of the Championship and can respond against Middlesbrough.
The Baggies were defeated 3-2 at Sheffield Wednesday but Sunderland's reverse at Watford meant their league position remained unchanged.
Carlos Corberan's side return to The Hawthorns, where they are still to concede, having drawn 0-0 against Leeds and beaten Swansea and Plymouth 1-0.
The Spaniard likes to base his teams on a strong defence and he could select a back four of Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Torbjorn Heggem for the seventh straight game.
Opposite number Michael Carrick has been unable to enjoy that luxury as injuries have forced the Boro boss to devise increasingly creative selection solutions, especially in defence.
Right-back Luke Ayling played centrally in Saturday's 2-0 win over Stoke but may have a tougher task when it comes to marking the Championship's leading goalscorer Josh Maja.
The talented striker's seven goals in as many games, including three in his team's last three outings, hint at a fresh consistency. However, it is the Baggies' defence that has become their hallmark.
They conceded the third-fewest goals in the 2023-24 Championship season and Corberan has continued to work hard to ensure that his rearguard, plus goalkeeper Alex Palmer, can provide the platform for getting results.
Boro won at the weekend but despite sitting eighth, they have only beaten rock-bottom Cardiff on the road in the league this season, losing 1-0 at Derby and Sunderland.
That doesn't bode well against West Brom's well-drilled defensive unit and the Baggies can maintain their position at the summit by recording another win to nil.
Key stat
West Brom are still to concede at home this season
West Brom vs Middlesbrough team news
West Brom
Daryl Dike appears to be West Brom's only absentee. The American has not played since February due to an achilles injury.
Middlesbrough
Defenders Tommy Smith, Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan and Dael Fry are all out for Middlesbrough, as is midfielder Jonny Howson. Defender Matt Clarke and forward Tommy Conway will be assessed
Probable teams
West Brom (4-2-3-1): Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, Heggem; Mowatt, Racic; Fellows, Swift, Grant; Maja
Subs: Wildsmith, Holgate, Dobbin, Molumby, Diangana, Wallace, Johnston, Diakite
Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng; Dijksteel, Ayling, Edmundson, Borges; Hackney, Morris; Jones, Azaz, Doak; Latte Lath
Subs: Glover, McGree, Conway, Barlaser, Engel, Van den Berg, Clarke, Burgzorg
Inside info
West Brom
Star man Josh Maja
Top scorer Josh Maja
Penalty taker Alex Mowatt
Card magnet Semi Ajayi
Assist ace Tom Fellows
Set-piece aerial threat Semi Ajayi
Middlesbrough
Star man Emmanuel Latte Lath
Top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath
Penalty taker Emmanuel Latte Lath
Card magnet Ben Doak
Assist ace Finn Azaz
Set-piece aerial threat George Edmundson
West Brom vs Middlesbrough bet builder predictions
West Brom to win
West Brom are unbeaten at home, winning their last two at The Hawthorns 1-0.
Josh Maja to score
Maja tops the Championship scoring charts with seven goals in as many games.
Luke Ayling to be shown a card
Middlesbrough's defensive injuries mean Ayling may continue in central defence and could be caught out.
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