West Bromwich vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Match Preview, Friday, 16 January

West Bromwich vs Middlesbrough Prediction, Match Preview, Friday, 16 January. The Championship clash between West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough is set to take place at The Hawthorns. This matchup promises to be an intriguing encounter as both teams vie for crucial points in their pursuit of promotion. West Bromwich Albion, playing at home, will look to leverage their familiarity with The Hawthorns to gain an advantage over Middlesbrough.

Scheduled for Friday, 16 January, this match is a significant fixture in the Championship calendar. West Bromwich Albion will be keen to capitalise on their home advantage, while Middlesbrough aim to secure a vital away win. Both teams have shown competitive form this season, making this encounter one to watch for fans and punters alike. The outcome could have substantial implications for the league standings as the season progresses.

West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough: Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Both Teams to Find the Net	1.8

Given the current form and injury situations for both teams, the recommended bet is ‘Both Teams to Score’. Despite Middlesbrough’s superior head-to-head record, their defensive line-up is heavily impacted by injuries, making them vulnerable at the back. West Bromwich Albion’s home advantage and their ability to score in 83% of home matches should see them finding the net.

• Middlesbrough’s defensive injuries significantly weaken their backline.
• West Bromwich Albion have scored in 83% of their home matches this season, showing strong home form.
• Historical trends between these teams suggest open matches with goals at both ends.

Betting Odds

West Bromwich Albion are slight favourites in this Championship clash, with odds of 2.43. However, Middlesbrough are not far behind at 2.81, suggesting a closely contested match at The Hawthorns. A draw is priced at 3.29, which could be tempting given both teams’ form.

Betting Tip	Odds
West Bromwich Albion to win	2.43
Draw	3.29
Middlesbrough to win	2.81

For those looking at goal markets, the odds point to a potentially tight affair. Keep an eye on the under 2.5 goals market, which might offer value considering both teams’ recent defensive displays.

West Bromwich Albion: Analysis & Recent Performance

West Bromwich Albion have experienced a mixed run of results recently, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. Their recent FA Cup game against Swansea was a high-scoring affair, ending 8-7 in favour of West Bromwich Albion after penalties, highlighting their attacking prowess but also exposing defensive vulnerabilities.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Swansea	West Bromwich Albion	N/A	FA Cup	11 Jan 2026
Leicester	West Bromwich Albion	2 – 1 (Loss)	Championship	5 Jan 2026
Swansea	West Bromwich Albion	1 – 0 (Loss)	Championship	1 Jan 2026
West Bromwich Albion	QPR	2 – 1 (Win)	Championship	29 Dec 2025
West Bromwich Albion	Bristol City	1 – 2 (Loss)	Championship	26 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

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In their last five matches, West Bromwich Albion have averaged 2.40 goals per game but conceded 2.60, indicating a potent yet leaky defence. They have managed to score in four of these encounters but failed to keep a clean sheet. At home, they have shown stronger form, winning three out of their last five games. Their performances at The Hawthorns have been more stable, with a win ratio of 60% at home compared to 40% overall. This suggests a certain degree of comfort and confidence when playing in familiar surroundings.

West Bromwich Albion: Suspensions & Injuries

West Bromwich Albion face a challenging fixture against Middlesbrough, with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Among the unavailable players, Jed Wallace’s absence due to a calf injury is particularly significant, given his influence in midfield. Alex Williams, suffering from a broken ankle, and Eseosa Sule, with a thigh injury, are also key absentees, both expected to return by late January 2026. Tammer Bany’s muscle injury further depletes the squad’s depth, especially in defensive positions.

The absence of these players forces West Bromwich Albion to rethink their tactical approach. Without Wallace’s creativity in midfield, the team might struggle to maintain their usual attacking fluidity. Coach James Morrison will likely rely on Callum Styles and Isaac Price to fill the void, but the lack of experience could be telling against a competitive Middlesbrough side.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Alex Williams	Broken ankle	Late January 2026
Eseosa Sule	Thigh injury	Late January 2026
Jed Wallace	Calf injury	Late January 2026
Tammer Bany	Muscle injury	Late January 2026

Given these injuries, West Bromwich Albion may have to adopt a more conservative strategy, focusing on defensive solidity to compensate for the lack of attacking options. This situation could influence the betting markets, as the team’s chances of securing a win might be perceived as diminished. Middlesbrough could see this as an opportunity to capitalise on West Bromwich Albion’s weakened line-up.

West Bromwich Albion: Key Players

West Bromwich Albion’s attacking threat will be led by Aune Selland Heggebø, the team’s top scorer with 8 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial against Middlesbrough’s defence. Heggebø’s positioning and finishing skills make him a constant threat, and his link-up play with fellow forward Karlan Grant could be pivotal in breaking down the opposition.

In midfield, Ousmane Diakité and Alex Mowatt are expected to control the tempo of the game. Diakité’s defensive acumen paired with Mowatt’s creativity can provide the necessary balance and support to both the defence and attack. The defensive line, anchored by Nathaniel Phillips and Charlie Taylor, is crucial in maintaining a solid backline, with Joe Wildsmith providing reliability between the sticks.

For West Bromwich Albion, tactical flexibility will be key, with the aforementioned players providing a blend of offensive threat and defensive solidity. This balance could be instrumental in securing a favourable result.

Expected line-up for West Bromwich Albion:

• Goalkeeper: Joe Wildsmith
• Defenders: George Campbell, Nathaniel Phillips, Charlie Taylor, Callum Styles
• Midfielders: Samuel Iling, Ousmane Diakité, Alex Mowatt
• Forwards: Mikey Johnston, Karlan Grant, Aune Selland Heggebø

West Bromwich Albion: Tactics and Formation

West Bromwich Albion Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Potential 4-4-2
• Key Forwards: Josh Maja and Daryl Dike
• Midfield Core: Ousmane Diakité and Callum Styles
• Defensive Concerns: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on direct play and wing attacks.

West Bromwich Albion, under James Morrison, may opt for a 4-4-2 formation, which allows them to maximise their attacking options with Josh Maja and Daryl Dike leading the line. This setup supports a direct playing style, with the midfield duo of Ousmane Diakité and Callum Styles providing energy and ball-winning capabilities.

Defensively, the back four of Alfie Gilchrist, Krystian Bielik, Chris Mepham, and Charlie Taylor will need to tighten up, as the team has struggled to maintain clean sheets, conceding in all of their last five matches. The defensive unit’s ability to remain compact and organised will be crucial against Middlesbrough.

Offensively, West Bromwich Albion focus on exploiting wide areas, with Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price likely tasked with delivering crosses and supporting forward runs. Despite recent defensive vulnerabilities, their attacking approach has seen them score in four of their last five games, indicating a potential threat to Middlesbrough’s defence.

Middlesbrough: Analysis & Recent Performance

Middlesbrough’s recent form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last five games. They have suffered three defeats, including a 1-0 loss to Derby and a 3-1 defeat against Fulham in the FA Cup. Their only victory came in a commanding 4-0 win over Southampton, showcasing their potential when they hit their stride.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Fulham	Middlesbrough	3 – 1 (Loss)	FA Cup	10 Jan 2026
Middlesbrough	Southampton	4 – 0 (Win)	Championship	4 Jan 2026
Derby	Middlesbrough	1 – 0 (Loss)	Championship	1 Jan 2026
Middlesbrough	Hull	0 – 1 (Loss)	Championship	29 Dec 2025
Middlesbrough	Blackburn	0 – 0 (Draw)	Championship	26 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
In their last five matches, Middlesbrough have averaged 1.00 goal per game but conceded an equal average of 1.00 goals, indicating a balanced yet unremarkable performance. Despite scoring 5 goals in these fixtures, their defence has shown vulnerabilities, conceding 5 goals as well, and keeping only 2 clean sheets.

Overall, Middlesbrough have demonstrated better form on the road, winning 2 out of their last 5 away games. They maintain a win ratio of 0.40 when playing away. However, with the looming challenge of maintaining defensive solidity, their away form could be crucial in their upcoming encounter. Currently positioned 2nd in the Championship with 46 points, they must capitalise on their scoring capabilities, led by top scorer Morgan Whittaker, to reinforce their standing.

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Middlesbrough: Suspensions & Injuries

Middlesbrough face a challenging situation with a significant list of injuries impacting their squad depth and tactical options. Notable absentees include Seny Dieng, who is out with an Achilles tendon injury until early February, and Riley McGree, sidelined with a hamstring injury expected to return in late January. These injuries, particularly in defensive and midfield areas, could force tactical adjustments from coach Kim Hellberg.

In the defensive line, Darragh Lenihan and George Edmundson’s ankle and hip injuries respectively, along with Alfie Jones, also recovering from an ankle injury, mean that Middlesbrough may need to rely on less experienced players or adjust their formation to cover these gaps. The midfield also suffers from the absence of Alex Bangura due to a muscle injury, potentially affecting their transition play.

With key players like David Strelec and Kaly Sene out with ankle and leg injuries, Middlesbrough’s attacking options are limited. This could force a more conservative approach against West Bromwich Albion, relying on Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway to lead the line in attack.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Seny Dieng	Achilles tendon injury	Early February 2026
Darragh Lenihan	Ankle injury	Late January 2026
Riley McGree	Hamstring injury	Late January 2026
George Edmundson	Hip injury	Late January 2026
Alfie Jones	Ankle injury	Late January 2026
David Strelec	Ankle injury	Late January 2026
Callum Brittain	Ankle injury	Early February 2026
Alex Bangura	Muscle injury	Late January 2026
Kaly Sene	Leg injury	Late January 2026

Middlesbrough: Key Players

Middlesbrough’s attacking prowess is spearheaded by their top scorer, Morgan Whittaker, who has already netted 10 goals this season. Whittaker’s ability to find space and his clinical finishing make him a constant threat to any defence. His role as a playmaker is further emphasised by his versatility across the midfield, providing both goals and creativity.

Supporting Whittaker in midfield, Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney are instrumental to Middlesbrough’s tactical setup. Morris’s defensive acumen and Hackney’s vision in distributing the ball are vital for controlling the game’s tempo. Meanwhile, in defence, Matthew Targett’s experience and leadership provide stability at the back, ensuring a solid foundation for the team.

• Goalkeeper: Solomon Brynn
• Defenders: Luke Ayling, Adilson Malanda, Matthew Targett
• Midfielders: Sam Silvera, Aidan Morris, Hayden Hackney, Sverre Nypan, Morgan Whittaker, Tommy Conway
• Forward: Delano Burgzorg

The tactical impact of these key players cannot be overstated. Whittaker’s goal-scoring ability, combined with Morris and Hackney’s midfield dominance, offers Middlesbrough a balanced approach that can adapt to various match scenarios. This balance is crucial for their strategic flexibility, enabling them to shift seamlessly between offensive and defensive play. Targett’s defensive strength further bolsters their resilience, making Middlesbrough a formidable opponent.

Middlesbrough: Tactics and Formation

Middlesbrough Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Morgan Whittaker
• Midfield Engine: Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney
• Defensive Setup: Recent struggles with clean sheets, only two in last five.
• Notable Strategy: Focused on transitions and exploiting wing spaces.

Middlesbrough’s 4-4-2 formation emphasises a balanced approach, with Morgan Whittaker leading the attacking line. His partnership with Tommy Conway is vital, as Whittaker’s ability to find space and Conway’s work rate create opportunities against opposing defences.

In midfield, Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney are tasked with controlling the tempo and breaking up opposition play. Their dynamic presence is crucial in transitioning from defence to attack, providing the necessary support to the forwards and wingers.

Defensively, Middlesbrough have faced challenges, managing only two clean sheets in their last five outings. The defensive line, comprising Alan Browne, Adilson Malanda, Luke Ayling, and Matt Targett, will need to tighten their coordination, especially against high-pressing opponents.

West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough: Head-to-Head Record

In their head-to-head record, Middlesbrough have the upper hand with 13 wins compared to West Bromwich Albion’s 8, and they’ve drawn 7 times. The last encounter saw Middlesbrough edge out a 2-1 victory at home in the Championship back in September 2025.

The last time West Bromwich Albion hosted Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns, it was a thrilling 4-2 win for the home side in August 2023. This suggests that West Bromwich Albion can be quite formidable on their own turf, even if Middlesbrough have been the more dominant side overall.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Middlesbrough	West Bromwich Albion	2 – 1	Championship	2025-09-19
Middlesbrough	West Bromwich Albion	2 – 0	Championship	2025-01-21
West Bromwich Albion	Middlesbrough	0 – 1	Championship	2024-10-01
Middlesbrough	West Bromwich Albion	1 – 0	Championship	2023-12-23
West Bromwich Albion	Middlesbrough	4 – 2	Championship	2023-08-26