Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions

• Middlesbrough have kept three clean sheets in five Championship outings
• Boro have won the last three meetings with West Brom to nil
• Only one of Boro’s last 13 home league games has gone over 3.5 goals

Fast-starting Boro can get back on track

Middlesbrough’s perfect start to the Championship season came to an end in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Preston but they remain top of the pile and can cement their position at the summit with victory over West Brom.

Sontje Hansen scored his first Middlesbrough goal in stoppage-time to salvage a point for Boro but they won the shot count 14-7 and that may not be a bad result given that Preston had earlier recorded home league wins over Ipswich and Leicester, two sides that were relegated from the Premier League.

The Teesiders had won their opening four Championship clashes, keeping three clean sheets as they grinded out 1-0 victories against Swansea and Sheffield United at the Riverside.

Replacing Michael Carrick as manager with Rob Edwards appears to be working the trick and, while this represents their toughest obstacle of the season so far against fellow highfliers West Brom, they can pass the test with flying colours.

The Baggies suffered their first defeat of the campaign in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Derby but they may have profited from a soft schedule with two of their three victories coming against Blackburn and Wrexham, two slow starters that are currently in the bottom half.

Middlesbrough have won the last three meetings between the sides to nil and their excellent defensive foundations should serve them well in this top-of-the-table clash, with a third straight 1-0 win at home appealing for correct-score punters.