Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
This is one of the key matches of the round, with both clubs vying for a place in the playoff zone. West Bromwich Albion are currently in the running, but Middlesbrough trail them only on goal difference. A draw would favour the visitors, but they're unlikely to settle for that, especially after an upsetting home defeat in the first leg (0:1).
Middlesbrough
The teams have swapped places. Middlesbrough have dropped out of the top six following an away loss to Portsmouth (1:2). It was fortunate they at least scored; in their previous four encounters, this happened only in half, with one goal each time. This accounts for just six points in their last five rounds. Their knack for scoring three goals per match seems to have vanished—up until Boxing Day, they managed this in three of six games, scoring one in the others.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion have been effortlessly scoring two goals or more at The Hawthorns in their last six matches (except for their 1:1 draw with Stoke City that weekend), but when they play elsewhere, in five matches they've only managed one goal. Among them were three draws, and before that, a goalless result against Sunderland.
Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion Prediction
All indications point towards a draw, likely 1:1. It seems plausible yet is rather risky. You may consider that option, but we'll go with a total under 2.5.
