Middlesbrough vs West Brom Prediction: More home joy for Boro

Championship table-toppers Middlesbrough will look to improve their position at the summit when they face West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium on Friday (20:00 BST, Sky Sports Main Event).

The hosts remain unbeaten after five matches in the second tier, while Albion tasted their first defeat at home to Derby County last weekend. Read on for my Middlesbrough vs West Brom predictions, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

After having an impact from the bench in the 2-2 draw at Preston North End last week, Middlesbrough duo Sontje Hansen and Sverre Nypan may be considered for starts on Friday.

Hansen offers a direct replacement for Kaly Sene on the left side of the attack, while Nypan's flexibility can see him take up a role in the midfield or the attack.

Boss Rob Edwards has reaffirmed his commitment to winger Morgan Whittaker, who was taken off at Deepdale last weekend - to the joy of the supporters following a disappointing afternoon.

Tommy Conway is likely to continue as the front man as new signing David Strelec gets up to speed with his new surroundings.

Goalkeeper Seny Dieng remains sidelined with an Achilles injury he picked up in the summer.

Football Odds

After suffering a first defeat of the season at home last time out, West Brom boss Ryan Mason may consider freshening things up for the trip to Teesside. Toby Collyer, on loan from Manchester United, might be in the head coach's thoughts for a start in midfield.

Fellow summer acquisition Alfie Gilchrist may be chosen to start at right-back in place of George Campbell.

Aune Heggebo should continue to spearhead the visitors' attack, despite still waiting for his first league goal for the Baggies.

Middlesbrough vs West Brom Odds

Middlesbrough have won both of their home league games to date this season in the Championship. They are 5/4 (implied probability of 44.4%) to defeat Albion on Friday - whom they have also beaten in the previous three encounters.

The two sides have drawn a match apiece in the second tier this term, and the stalemate is marketed at 23/10.

West Brom are the same price to come away with the three point, and they have won their two away trips in the league in 2025/26.

Under 2.5 goals has been a successful bet in each of the past three meetings between the two teams and 4/5 is the price this time around.

Middlesbrough to win @ 5/4

Boro have set the early pace in the Championship thus far but their lead at the top is currently only by a point, as another surprise package in Stoke City have started brightly.

Middlesbrough have the chance to lay down another marker on Friday up against a team who have also began the season in good form. West Brom look well-disciplined under Mason and they are looking like they are throwing themselves into the promotion picture this year.

I have been more impressed by the hosts, though, and I think this will be a disappointing road trip for the Baggies, despite winning at Wrexham and Stoke. Boro are yet to lose a game and they have won both their matches held at the Riverside so far - without conceding a goal.

That is going to be some tough momentum to stop, so I think another home win is inbound.

Under 1.5 goals @ 9/4

As I mentioned earlier, Boro have kept clean sheets in their previous two home league matches this campaign and both were won by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. This was also the outcome in two of their recent three victories over the visitors, with one of them coming here at the Riverside.

Additionally, when it comes to this particular market, West Brom rank third in the Championship this season for games featuring no more than one goal (three) in the five they have played so far.

Offers

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