Numbers crunched before Riverside trip
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Albion are unbeaten in five league games against Middlesbrough. The Baggies have won four of those games, while the Boro failed to score in all of the five matches.
The Baggies claimed a league double over Middlesbrough in both 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Albion’s last visit to the Riverside Stadium ended in a thumping 5-0 victory thanks to goals from Chris Brunt (2), Youssouf Mulumbu, Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas in 2009. England boss Gareth Southgate was the man in charge of Middlesbrough that afternoon.
The last time Middlesbrough scored a league goal against the Baggies was back in February, 2006. The Boro won 2-0 at The Hawthorns, which remains their most recent victory against Albion.
Albion will be looking for just their eighth league victory at Middlesbrough. In 43 visits to Teesside, The Baggies have won 7, drawn 10 and lost 26 games.
Albion and Middlesbrough played out a 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns in August
MIDDLESBROUGH
The Boro are the Premier League’s lowest scorers at home with just 10 goals from 11 games. However, they have taken seven points from their last five matches at the Riverside Stadium.
A win over the Baggies could see Middlesbrough jump seven points clear of the relegation zone. They are currently 16th with 20 points from 22 games.
Middlesbrough have only scored 18 goals in the Premier League so far in 2016/17, which is two less than the bottom two Hull and Sunderland.
The Teessiders have won four of the nine Premier League meetings with Albion.
Aitor Karanka’s side have kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Only Chelsea (13), Spurs (9) and Southampton (8) have had more shut-outs than the Boro.
Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo is Middlesbrough's top scorer this season in the Premier League with five goals
ALBION
A win for Tony Pulis’ men would seal their highest points tally at this stage of a Premier League season. Three points would better Steve Clarke’s 2012/13 return of 34 points from 23 games.
The Baggies have won three of their last four games in the Premier League, recording victories over Southampton, Hull, and most recently Sunderland.
Albion’s biggest win and heaviest defeat in the Premier League this season have both come by 4-0 scorelines. Tony Pulis’ men fell to defeat at home to Manchester City in October, however, they then put Burnley to the sword in their next fixture at The Hawthorns in November.
Albion will head to the Riverside Stadium sitting eighth in the Premier League table, with 32 points from 22 games. They would also be eighth if the table took away results only into consideration. The Baggies have 12 points from 11 matches on the road.
Matt Phillips has eight assists to his name in the Premier League this season. Only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (9) has more.