Middlesbrough v West Brom: Back goals in Friday night Teesside tussle

Middlesbrough v West Brom
Friday August 24, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football

Middlesbrough looking to cement their lofty position

First-half goals from Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga put Middlesbrough on the path to a 2-0 victory last Saturday at Bristol City. The Teessiders were in control of proceedings for large swathes of the Ashton Gate encounter, only coming under sustained pressure in the latter stages.

Despite guiding his group to a 10-point haul from their first four fixtures (W3-D1-L0), Boro boss Tony Pulis insists the club need to strengthen the squad for a concerted bid to return to the Premier League. A loan move for Yannick Bolasie looks dead at the time of writing and no new recruits are expected before Friday.

However, summer signing Jordan Hugill has edged closer towards a first-team return from a hamstring injury having scored in a midweek friendly. Rudy Gestede is also nearing a return to the squad, while Dani Ayala is available to start should Pulis look to break up the Dael Fry and Aden Flint partnership.

Free-scoring West Brom

West Brom boss Darren Moore couldn't hide his delight after watching his side shred QPR 7-1 at The Hawthorns last weekend. Two Jay Rodriguez penalties were supplemented by a Matt Phillips double and goals from Dwight Gayle, Kieran Gibbs and Hal Robson-Kanuas Albion racked up their biggest win for 11 years.

The Baggies have now scored 11 goals in their past two Championship outings with Moore building a free-scoring, attacking side that's capable of going toe-to-toe with many of their divisional rivals. Harvey Barnes was another standout star as WBA looked capable of scoring every time they ventured forward.

Moore employed a 3-4-1-2 system on Saturday and has promised to tinker his approach from week to week. The visitors will have Kyle Bartley available despite picking up a knock against QPR in an otherwise fully fit squad for Friday's trip to the north-east.

Little to chose between Championship front-runners

Middlesbrough have been made 2.48 favourites to pick up maximum points and having W10-D1-L3 at the Riverside under Tony Pulis' watch, the hosts will be well supported. Boro have bagged nine wins from their past 10 league outings here, while their three losses came against Wolves, Fulham and Aston Villa.

West Brom 3.20 have recovered well from their opening day embarrassment against Bolton and a poor first-half display against Nottingham Forest to put in two strong offensive efforts against Norwich and QPR. The Baggies are possibly a touch underrated although there are better options elsewhere.

Back both sides to oblige

Middlesbrough may have kept three consecutive clean sheets coming into this clash but there's undoubted value to be found backing Both Teams To Score at around the 1.83mark. It's a selection that's landed in all four of West Brom's fixtures thus far, while Boro haven't yet fired a blank themselves.

The hosts pack plenty of punch in the final-third with Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga finding their range, as well as the set-piece threat of Aden Flint. Meanwhile, Albion are unlikely to alter their attack-minded approach and so an enjoyable encounter should ensue.

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Back Both Teams To Score @ 1.83 in Middlesbrough v West Brom