Middlesbrough – West Bromwich Albion

The rivals will play each other for the third consecutive time without three or more goals scored

In the key confrontation of the next round of the Championships, the participants of the top four of the division. However, the meeting will take place between direct competitors for a place in the play-offs. They are also located on the very edge of the zone. West Bromwich are in the inner part (sixth place), Middlesbrough - in the outer part (seventh place). Equality of points and almost the same goal difference between goals scored and conceded adds piquancy to the position of the rivals. On the first day of October last year, Middlesbrough refused to keep parity in the confrontation with West Bromwich. The first meeting of the rivals in the current championship then ended with an away victory "Boro", obtained at the expense of just one goal of the club's pupil - Hayden Hackney. Given the degree of competition for the fifth and sixth places in the Championship, from the meeting at the "Riverside" it is difficult to expect a mass of goals and bright game. Bookmakers have identified the home team as favourites for the upcoming meeting, offering odds of 1.92 on their victory. Middlesbrough lost an away game against Leeds United on 10 December 2024. Since then, Boro have not conceded to anyone for a month, alternating between wins and draws. The relative positivity in the team's playing form ended just over a week ago. First, Middlesbrough lost a home cup clash with Blackburn (0:1), after which they travelled to Portsmouth unsuccessfully. There the team won the first half 1-0, but in the second half conceded two unanswered goals from 35-year-old Matt Ritchie. Two defeats in a row is an additional motivating fact for Carrick's team. Boro have yet to lose three in a row this season. West Bromwich have won just four times in their last 22 matches: three times at home and once away. It would seem that the disgusting statistics is slightly brightened by the abundance of draws, of which the Thrashers have collected thirteen during this period. At the Riverside, the guests will think mainly about the defence of their gates and will be guided by the result. A draw on Tuesday will suit them just fine. Four of the last five meetings between Middlesbrough and West Bromwich ended with a maximum of two goals scored. Let's bet that the statistic of their "relegation" matches will continue.