Tony Pulis welcomes former club West Brom to the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough look to continue their impressive start to the season. Boro have followed up on their opening day draw with three league wins on the bounce, whilst Darren Moore’s side are looking to make it five games unbeaten in all competitions.
Tony Pulis Welcomes Former Club
Tony Pulis was dismissed by West Brom back in November of last year following a torrid run of two wins from 21 games, a run that Albion would never recover from, resulting in their subsequent relegation from the Premier League. Much of that ill feeling towards their former manager still resides inside many at West Brom. Some supporters are only just returning to the Hawthorns following disenchantment over Pulis’ defensive style of play and tactics. The current Boro manager was not only unpopular with supporters at the Hawthorns, but perhaps with players too. Some of those former players will be keen to get one over their former boss this weekend.
In a stark contrast to their time under Boro boss Pulis, goals have been no problem for West Brom this season. The Baggies are the highest scorers in the division with 13 goals in their first four games. The side seemed destined to lose Jay Rodriguez during the transfer window, but the striker has stayed at The Hawthorns and has netted four times in his last two games. Wide man Matt Phillips has also been in the goals, including a late leveller at Nottingham Forest where the resilient Baggies were outplayed but earned a draw.
Boro Performing Despite Losses
It’s a relief for Boro fans that they’ve started so well, having sold influential playmaker Patrick Bamford to Leeds in the summer. They also Adama Traore to Wolves, as well as long-serving defender Ben Gibson to Burnley. Traore was one of Middlesbrough’s most effective players last season, leaving many to believe that his loss would be detrimental. But it’s been a strong start for Tony Pulis’ side, who could’ve achieved promotion last season but flopped in the play-offs.
The only new recruits at the Riverside have been Andy Lonergan from Leeds and Jordan Hugill from West Ham on loan. Most of Middlesbrough’s goals this term have come from Martin Braithwaite. The Danish striker couldn’t get a look-in last season and ended up going out on loan to Bordeaux. Although the early signs are good for Boro, some believe that they will falter as the season progresses. The visit of West Brom will be a real test for them.
Predicted Line-ups
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Shotton, Flint, Fry, Friend, Wing, Clayton, Howson, Downing, Assombalonga, Braithwaite.
West Brom: Johnstone, Adarabioyo, Hegazi, Bartley, Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, Gibbs, Barnes, Rodriguez, Gayle.
Prediction
Middlesbrough are playing better than their depleted squad was expected to perform, whilst West Brom should be buoyed by their 7-1 mauling of QPR. This game does seem to have goals in it and as both sides can be unpredictable, this could go either way.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-2 West Brom
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