10 points from the first four Championship outings is indeed a strong start for Middlesbrough in their quest for a Premier League promotion under Tony Pulis who turned their fortunes around but failed to clinch an immediate top-flight return following a play-off semi-final defeat to Aston Villa last season.
Pulis will face his former club tonight. Despite earning a record top half finish the season before, a disastrous spell during the previous term at the Hawthorns resulted in Pulis’ dismissal. His successors could not survive a relegation scare, therefore, forcing the Baggies to compete in the second tier to once again earn their place among England’s elite.
West Brom, under Darren Moore, had a slow start this season but are now back to their very best claiming a gigantic 7-1 win against QPR last weekend and will be upbeat to take on Boro.
Team News
Middlesbrough will be without two of their veteran stars- custodian Dimitrios Konstantopoulos and marksman Rudy Gestede. Harry Chapman, the academy prospect, remains sidelined after dislocating his shoulder and is unlikely to be back in action before at least a month. But Pulis is ready to include Hugill and Ayala into the first team fold.
Predicted Middlesbrough Lineup vs West Bromwich Albion (4-3-3)
Defence
Darren Randolph has kept three clean sheets in four outings exhibiting his excellence between the sticks. 20-year-old Dael Fry is enjoying first-team football at the heart of their backline alongside Aden Flint, the summer signing from Bristol City. Pulis has a couple of settled fullbacks too in the form of Ryan Shotton and George Friend who are vastly experienced and have looked good thus far.
Midfield
Their midfield, too, has been an amalgamation of youth and experience which is likely to remain unaltered for the Friday night fixture. Veteran Adam Clayton and Jonny Howson will be deployed in a deeper role to hold possession and build up moves from the middle of the park whereas Lewis Wing will look to use his pace and ball-carrying ability to have more of an impact in the final third.
Attack
Boro lack serious depth in the attacking third, however, both Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga have started the season spectacularly having netted thrice and twice respectively in four league encounters. Stewart Downing, the 34-year-old former England international, is also featuring regularly following Traore’s exit and should be retained in the starting XI to face the Baggies. Young Ashley Fletcher netted a brace against Notts County in a League Cup tie and is tipped to be introduced later on depending on the match situation.
