Match Previews

Albion v Middlesbrough match preview

Albion will look to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games when they face Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Sunday (ko 3pm).

Middlesbrough

Their last outing

Middlesbrough made it three wins from five by beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium last time out.

19-year-old defende Djed Spence combined with Ashley Fletcher to score the only goal of the game in the first half.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Pears; Spence, Howson, Ayala, Fry, Coulson;  Johnson (Gustede 79), Wing, Saville, Tavernier; Fletcher.

Substitutes: Mejias, Clayton, Wood-Gordon, Bola, Walker, Liddle

In the dugout

Jonathan Woodgate had playing spells at Leeds United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City.

After retiring from the game, Woodgate started coaching at Middlesbrough and after taking on various roles a the club, stepped up to become the manager in the summer.

2019_12_27 Woodgate.jpg

One to watch

Ashley Fletcher has scored five times for Boro this season, most recently netting in a 2-1 win against Stoke City.

The 24-year-old came through Manchester United’s Academy, going on loan to Barnsley before moving to West Ham. After 20 games for the Hammers, Fletcher was signed by Middlesbrough in July 2017.

Our last meeting

Albion’s most recent clash against Middlesbrough was at the Riverside Stadium in October.

Slaven Bilić’s men claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Hal Robson-Kanu, who stepped off the bench to put the visitors in front with just eight minutes remaining.

2019_12_27 HRK Mboro.jpg

Watch the highlights here.

Stats

Albion

• Bilić’s Baggies are the top scorers in the Championship - and have scored nine more goals than any other team in the division, finding the net 47 times.

• The Throstles are unbeaten in their last 14 Sky Bet Championship games (P14, W9, D5, L0).

• Albion are undefeated on home soil since February, the second-longest run in the club's history, having not lost in their last 17 Sky Bet Championship matches at The Hawthorns.

Middlesbrough

•  Jonathan Woodgate’s men are yet to win an away league game this season (P11, W0, D5, L6).

• Boro have scored just 22 goals this season - only Wigan Athletic have netted fewer, with 21 goals to their name.

• Middlesbrough have won three from their last five (P5, W3, D1, L1).

Head to head

 

Albion wins

Draws

Middlesbrough wins

League

32

21

38

FA Cup

2

2

1

Total

34

23

39

Our man to watch

Filip Krovinović netted his first Albion goal against Barnsley on Boxing Day, capping a lively performance in the middle of the park for the Baggies.

Filip arrived at The Hawthorns in the summer on a season-long loan and has now made 21 appearances for the Baggies.

2019_12_27 Filip.jpg

Ticket news

The home end at The Hawthorns is sold out for the visit of Middlesbrough.

Thank you, as always, for your brilliant support.

Follow the game

Comprehensive coverage of the clash with Middlesbrough is available in our Match Centre, where you can listen to live commentary on WBA Radio or follow our live text feed.

WBA Radio is the only service that allows Baggies fans around the world - from Smethwick to the Sahara - access to uninterrupted live commentaries from every one of our competitive games. iFollow subscribers can join Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson for Baggies-biased live commentary on Sunday.

Supporters who have an iFollow subscription may be able to live stream the game depending on where they are located around the world. To find out, click here.

You’ll also be able to find score updates on the club's social media channels.

Image removed.