Predicted Middlesbrough line-up to face West Brom in the Championship
Middlesbrough will travel to the Hawthorns to face promotion-chasing rivals West Brom in the Championship on Saturday.
Tony Pulis’ men are unbeaten in their last four league games and they will look to extend it to five at the weekend. A win for Middlesbrough would take them level on points with fourth-placed West Brom.
The Baggies, meanwhile, head into this fixture on the back of a 0-0 draw with Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Team News
Tony Pulis has no fresh injury problems ahead of the West Brom game.
Probable Middlesbrough XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Tony Pulis
Darren Randolph (GK)
Randolph has been Boro’s No.1 between the sticks and he’ll keep his place in the team against West Brom.
Ryan Shotton (RB)
Shotton has just returned from injury, playing 72 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Newport County in the FA Cup last weekend. He’ll likely start again for Middlesbrough.
Daniel Ayala (CB)
Ayala has been a regular fixture in Boro’s defence this season. He is a certain starter at Hawthorns.
Aden Flint (CB)
Partnering Ayala at the heart of Middlesbrough defence should be Aden Flint, who, like Shotton, has returned from injury.
George Friend (LB)
At left-back it’ll be none other than George Friend. The 31-year-old will look to provide width down the left flank for the visitors on Saturday.
John Obi Mikel (CM)
Mikel shined in his Middlesbrough debut against Newport in the FA Cup and will be raring to make a mark against West Brom.
Muhamed Besic (CM)
Besic will sit deep alongside Mikel in the midfield and look to break up West Brom’s attack. The Bosnian’s presence in the engine room will be crucial as Pulis aims for all three points against his former club.
Rajiv van La Parra (RW)
Pulis would look to utilise Van La Parra’s pace and trickery against West Brom and could hand him a start on Saturday.
Lewis Wing (CAM)
Wing should start in his preferred No.10 role and create chances for his teammates at the weekend.
George Saville (RW)
On the right, it could be Saville, who’ll aim to guide Middlesbrough to all three points at the Hawthorns.
Read more: 10 goals, 9 assists – Middlesbrough’s attack would become top class if they add this in-form star before deadline day
Jordan Hugill (ST)
With six goals and an assist this season, Hugill could again be preferred ahead of Assombalonga to lead the Boro attack.
