The weeks English Championship action continues on Friday night following a good round of fixtures in mid-week. As one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, games come thick and fast and two of the early season promotion favourites meet at the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough take on West Bromwich Albion.
Middlesbrough finished fifth in the Championship last season, which was good enough to seal a playoff spot. However, they fell to Aston Villa in the semi-final and will be hoping to win automatic promotion this season.
West Bromwich Albion suffered relegation from the Premier League, despite a brave fight towards the end of the campaign. Having been in the top-flight for so long, it can take time to adjust to the Championship but the Baggies will be pushing for promotion at the first time of asking.
Trends show Middlesbrough have made an unbeaten start to the 2018/19 season. They have won three and drawn one of their four Championship matches and defeated Notts County on penalties following a 3-3 draw in the League Cup.
In the Championship, Middlesbrough stared with a 2-2 draw at Millwall, which is increasingly looking like a good result. They followed that with back-to-back wins at home over Sheffield United and Birmingham City, without conceding a goal. Last weekend Middlesbrough went to Bristol City and won 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten start.
West Bromwich Albion had a shock to the system in their opening Championship match as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers. However, trends show they have recovered and West Bromwich Albion have won three and drawn one of their last four games in all competitions.
Having picked up a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion defeated Norwich City 4-3 away and destroyed Queens Park Rangers 7-1 at home. In-between those Championship fixtures was a 1-0 home win against Luton Town in the League Cup.
West Bromwich Albion have been very exciting to watch in the Championship this season. Trends show they have seen over 2.5 goals in three of their four games and both teams have scored in all four matches. West Bromwich Albion have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 away from home.
Looking ahead to the team news and Middlesbrough could have defender Daniel Ayala back in the starting XI but Dael Fry could keep his place in the team. Rudy Gestede is injured and will miss out.
West Bromwich Albion have no injury or suspension concerns and the Baggies are likely to name the same team which dismantled Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
This is a hugely important game between two teams who are hoping to seal a place in the Premier League. West Bromwich Albion have been scoring plenty of goals but Middlesbrough will not be an easy team to crack at the Riverside Stadium. This match could end with a narrow home win.