Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion are set to host promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Tuesday in what could prove to be a pivotal match in the quest for promotion in England's second division.
The hosts have 16 points from seven league matches so far but did lose 3-2 last time out against Sheffield Wednesday on September 28, while the visitors are in eighth place with 11 points and beat Stoke City 2-0 on Saturday.
Match preview
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The home side were trailing 2-0 against Sheffield Wednesday after just 23 minutes, and though West Brom managed to level the scoreline when they netted in the 65th and 84th minutes, they conceded a decisive third goal in the 86th minute.
The Baggies had won the prior four league games and only conceded one goal in that period while scoring on seven occasions.
Boss Carlos Corberan commented in the aftermath of his side's defeat on Saturday that he felt they showed too much respect to Sheffield Wednesday, and said that the level of pain he felt following their loss was huge.
Corberan should not be too disheartened with his team's defeat considering they have started this campaign markedly better than 2023-24, a season in which the Baggies collected only nine points from their first seven games.
The 2024-25 season is West Brom's fourth consecutive campaign in the Championship, and last term they finished fifth and qualified for the division's promotion playoffs but were eliminated by Southampton 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals in May.
The Baggies have won five of their last seven Championship matches and have won 15, drawn six and lost just three of their 24 most recent home games in the league.
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Opponents Middlesbrough earned revenge against Stoke City on Saturday for their EFL Cup exit at the hands of the Potters on August 27.
Liverpool loanee Ben Doak scored his first goal for the club against Stoke in the 34th minute, and though Boro only scored their second in the 73rd minute, they defended well and conceded just two shots in that period.
Manager Michael Carrick praised his team's work off the ball and said that the ruthlessness and aggression they displayed was pleasing.
Carrick will be hopeful that his side's victory can be the catalyst for a sustained push for the playoff spots in the top six, especially after they missed out on qualification for the playoffs last term by just four points.
Middlesbrough come into Tuesday's clash having won two, drawn two and lost three of their last seven matches, conceding 10 times and scoring on seven occasions.
Boro's away record in the Championship is mixed, with the club having lost two and won two of their last four away games and having won eight, drawn three and lost five of their last 16 league fixtures on the road.
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Team News
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West Brom are certain to be without striker Daryl Dike due to an Achilles tendon injury, though he could be available once again in late October.
Considering Corberan has named an unchanged back four in the Baggies' last six games, he is unlikely to make any changes on Tuesday, so expect Darnell Furlong, Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Torbjorn Heggem to start in defence.
Alex Mowatt was substituted on at half time against Sheffield Wednesday in place of Ousmane Diakite, and he may be selected in the starting XI alongside Uros Racic.
As for the visitors, they are likely to be without centre-backs Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan until the middle of October, and this could mean that Carrick is forced to play full-back Luke Ayling in central defence.
Right-back Tommy Smith and left-back Alex Bangura are also not scheduled to return until the middle of next month, so expect Anfernee Dijksteel and Neto Borges to play in their stead.
Middlesbrough will also be unable to select Jonathan Howson and Marcus Forss, although the pair may return to action early in October.
Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney started in midfield as a double pivot in their side's win against Stoke, and they could be chosen once again on Tuesday.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Heggem; Racic, Mowatt; Fellows, Swift, Grant; Maja
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dijksteel, Ayling, Edmundson, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, McGree; Lath
We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Middlesbrough
West Brom's strong start to the season and impressive home record should make them favourites on Tuesday.
Additionally, given Middlesbrough have numerous defensive absentees, it would not be surprising if they were to concede first.
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