West Bromwich Albion make the long trip north to Middlesbrough on Friday night for their sixth Sky Bet Championship clash of the season (ko 8pm).
The Baggies suffered a first league defeat of the campaign last weekend, slipping to a 1-0 reverse at The Hawthorns against Derby County.
Hosts Middlesbrough head into the encounter sat top of the division having won four and drawn one of their opening five matches.
Boro, who were held by Preston at Deepdale in their most recent game, earned 1-0 wins in both of their home outings so far in the second tier this term, defeating Swansea City and Sheffield United.
Follow the action LIVE
Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's battle with Boro.
Audio passes are available to purchase here.
WBA Radio & WBA TV duo Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson will provide live commentary from the Riverside Stadium, with coverage starting at 7.45pm.
Details for video streaming on WBA TV will be available here from Thursday morning.
Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.
The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk, myalbion@wbafc.co.uk or enquiries@wbafc.co.uk.
Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day and night.
The opposition
Boro have made a blistering start to the new Sky Bet Championship campaign and sit at the top of the table after five completed fixtures.
Friday's hosts have picked up victories over Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City and Sheffield United, as well as a draw in their most recent clash at Preston North End last weekend.
That point at Preston means Middlesbrough have gone unbeaten in their first five league games of a campaign for just the third time this century, and they'll have their sights firmly set on securing another positive result when the Baggies head north.
The 2025/26 season marks a ninth consecutive year in the second tier for the club. Former Forest Green Rovers, Watford and Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has been handed the task of sending Boro back to the Premier League.
The 42-year-old replaced Michael Carrick in the summer and boasts an eye-catching CV having steered Forest Green and Luton to higher divisions during his time with both sides.
Like many young managers these days, Edwards had a lengthy professional playing career too. He represented the likes of Aston Villa, Derby County, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackpool and Barnsley among others.
Boro's boss has drawn two and lost one of his three previous managerial meetings with the Albion.
Memorable meeting
It will be exactly 16 years to the day that Albion put five past Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium when they travel north on Friday night.
The Baggies stormed to a second-tier success in 2009 thanks to efforts from Chris Brunt (2), Youssouf Mulumbu, Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas.
Check out the highlights below.
Albion's recent record at the Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough 2-0 Albion, January 2025
Tony Mowbray's second spell as Albion boss started with a defeat at Middlesbrough in January this year. Hayden Hackney's long-range effort on the half-hour mark gave the home team a slender advantage heading into the closing stages. Both teams were searching for the second, and it was Boro who found it - Ben Doak wrapping up the points with an impressive strike.
Middlesbrough 1-0 Albion, December 2023
The Baggies were defeated on Teesside just days before Christmas during the 2023/24 term. Morgan Rogers' close-range finish proved to be the difference that particular afternoon as Boro bagged all three Sky Bet Championship points.
Middlesbrough 1-1 Albion, July 2022
Boro and the Baggies kicked the 2022/23 campaign off with a hard-fought draw at the Riverside Stadium. Isaiah Jones found the net from inside the box early on for the hosts. However, the visitors responded in the second period when debutants Jed Wallace and John Swift combined, with the latter slotting the ball into the far corner. Supporters can watch highlights of that one below.
How's that for a stat
Albion will be determined to put an end to a three match losing and scoreless streak against Friday's opponents. Boro have claimed a 2-0 triumph and two 1-0 victories in the last trio of fixtures with the Baggies. West Bromwich Albion's last win over this weekend's hosts was a 4-2 success at The Hawthorns in August 2023.
Between them, Boro and the Baggies have collected 23 points from the opening 30 on offer in the Sky Bet Championship.
Middlesbrough have kept three consecutive home league clean sheets (Norwich City 0-0, Swansea City 1-0 and Sheffield United 1-0).
Albion have the chance to win three straight away league games for the first time since claiming nine points from the first nine on offer on their travels at the start of the 2024/25 term (QPR 3-1, Stoke City 2-1 and Portsmouth 3-0).
Albion's last win at the Riverside Stadium came in October 2019 when Hal Robson-Kanu's scrappy second-half strike secured all three Championship points. Middlesbrough have since gone four unbeaten in front of their own fans in this particular matchup.
Colours for the road
Albion will wear their green and yellow away kit for the second match running on their travels.
Ryan Mason's side also sported such colours when they secured a 1-0 success at Stoke City at the end of August.
Not ordered your 2025/26 green and yellow away kit? Fear not. You can purchase it here.
Ticket information
Tickets are on general sale for Albion’s trip to Middlesbrough.
The Baggies have been handed an initial allocation of 1,904.
Seats are priced £32 adults, £24 seniors (65+) and £15 under-18s.
Supporters can purchase online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office, or by calling 0121 227 2227.
Baggies Travel
Coach travel can be purchased for £35. Departure times are as follows:
- Kidderminster - 1pm
- Stourbridge & Lye - 1.15pm
- Colley Gate - 1.20pm
- Halesowen - 1.25pm
- Quinton - 1.30pm
- Blackheath/Whiteheath - 1.35pm
- The Hawthorns 2pm
Secure your seat online, in person or by calling 0121 227 2227.
