Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion

Published on: 31/01/2017

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion

January 31 , 2017 19:45pm - Riverside Stadium

Premier League

Middlesbrough will look to break a five-game winless streak when they play host to eighth-ranked West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.

Boro on target to retain top flight status

As with most promoted teams, Middlesbrough`s priority this season would have been to retain their Premier League status. And with 22 matches played the team from the north east are still well on target to achieve that goal. However, with just a four-point gap separating them from the drop zone, Boro could do with a win to keep the spectre of relegation at bay.

Aitor Karanka`s men are now winless in five matches and have won just one of their last eight. On home soil, they are without a win in 2017 and they come into this match on the back of a 1-3 home defeat to West Ham United.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion could make it four win from their last five matches with a victory in the north east. The Baggies have risen to eighth place in the table and look well on course for a top 10 finish.

Despite their lofty league position, Tony Pulis` men have not been totally convincing on the road, having lost three of their last four matches. They failed to score in any of those defeats but did manage a 2-1 win at Southampton on New Year`s Eve. They have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 10 away games.

Team news

The home side will be without the injured groups of George Friend (muscular injury), Calum Chambers (ankle injury), Gaston Ramirez (knee injury) and Antonio Barragan (hamstring strain).

Meanwhile, Jonny Evans remains the only doubt for the visitors.

Recent form (League)

Middlesbrough: LDDLL

West Bromwich Albion: WLWWL

Betting odds and tips

Boro have conceded just 13 goals at home this season, while West Brom have scored just nine on the road. As a result a low goal count can be expected.

Under 2.5 Goals can be backed at odds of 19/40 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 31/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (31/01/2017 14:49:53) but are subject to change.