Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

West Bromwich Albion play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon, looking to keep the pressure on the top two in the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, Boro have dropped down to 14th position over the past week, a consequence of suffering two defeats in succession.

Match preview

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When West Brom went into half time of Wednesday's fixture with Hull City on level terms, a number of boos were heard around The Hawthorns.

For a team comfortably sitting in third position in the Championship, it felt like a harsh reaction, but Valerien Ismael would have understood the expectation levels when he signed on the dotted line in the summer.

Nevertheless, West Brom eventually claimed a 1-0 win, their fifth victory in eight games, and they now sit just six points adrift of leaders Bournemouth.

While Ismael will recognise that his team are still searching for their best form, he will be content with collecting 31 points from 16 matches in this division.

Karlan Grant was once again the saviour for the Baggies, the forward now having eight goals for the season in the second tier.

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During the back end of October, Middlesbrough were doing a brilliant job of riding out their packed injury list by recording three victories in a row.

However, Neil Warnock's team have been brought back down to Earth over the past week, the North-East outfit suffering disappointing defeats to Birmingham City and Luton Town.

Warnock felt the need to tinker with his team at Kenilworth Road, and the introduction of teenager Josh Coburn paid off as he netted his second league goal of the campaign.

That said, just like they did against Blues, Middlesbrough capitulated immediately after half time, and Warnock has work to do in order to lift his team ahead of a game against opponents who are yet to lose at their home ground.

Team News

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Having shuffled his side in midweek, Ismael must decide which players deserve to keep their place in his Baggies XI.

Semi Ajayi could replace the injured Kean Bryan, a move which would allow Conor Townsend to continue at left wing-back.

Jordan Hugill is in contention to get the nod over Matt Phillips in what may be the only other change to the team.

Despite serving a one-match ban for his red card against Fulham, Darnell Furlong is not a certainty to replace youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

James Lea Siliki may get a chance in the Middlesbrough midfield, potentially at the expense of Marcus Tavernier.

Lee Peltier could also be recalled in a back three with Anfernee Dijksteel dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Kipre, Clarke, Ajayi; Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Snodgrass, Townsend; Robinson, Hugill, Grant

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Daniels; Peltier, Bamba, McNair; Jones, Siliki, Howson, Crooks, Hernandez; Coburn, Sporar

We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Middlesbrough

Given the inconsistencies of these two teams, there is a feeling that anything could happen on Saturday afternoon. However, we can only back another home win for the Baggies, potentially by the odd goal in three.

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