West Brom vs Middlesbrough Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

West Brom had a typically uneventful season last year as Tony Pulis extended their stay in the Premier League with a 14th place finish, but overall it was a typical West Brom and typica Pulis showing. They were uninspiring in attack but generally resolute in defence, relying on standout striker Salomon Rondon to nick the odd three points to guarantee them safety but never threatening the top half of the table.

The same looks to be true this season. Rondon scored a 74th minute goal in their Premier League opener as they visited Crystal Palace in one of the least anticipated clashes of the Premier League season. Both teams looked devoid of creativity in general though, but Crystal Palace’s lack of a suitable striker gave the visitors the edge.

Their second match saw them take the lead within ten minutes as Gareth McAuley netted the opener, but the visiting Everton equalised on the stroke of half-time and came out in the second half with renewed confidence. Gareth Barry’s winner on the hour mark resigned West Brom to defeat, and they followed it with a penalty defeat to Northampton in the League Cup after a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Middlesbrough were also knocked out of the League Cup in midweek as Fulham held them to a 1-1 draw in normal time before scoring the winner in extra time. However, the newly promoted side will be very happy with the way their first few weeks in the Premier League have gone.

They opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke thanks to a debut goal from one of their marquee signings of the summer; Alvaro Negredo. Fellow new signing Marten De Roon was injured in the first half to put a dampener on things though, and both him and Victor Valdes are expected to miss this visit to West Brom.

Middlesbrough’s second game of the season saw them visit the Stadium of Light for a north east derby with Sunderland. This time Negredo turned into provider as he laid on two first half goals for Christian Stuani to put the visitors two goals to the good. Patrick van Aanholt managed to pull one back with 20 minutes remaining, but Middlesbrough hung on to claim their first three points of the season.

The visitors have looked a much better side than West Brom so far this season, and considering West Brom have lost four of their last five Premier League games at the Hawthorns and won none I think Middlesbrough have a great chance of getting another result on Sunday. Odds of 2.150 for a Middlesbrough 0.0 Asian Handicap Win look good value to me, and I’m following that with a 1-0 correct score prediction at 13/2.