Middlesbrough vs. West Brom Predictions: Back Boro to get the promotion charge back on track

Tuesday night's televised game in the second tier takes place at the Riverside Stadium, where Middlesbrough host West Brom. 

Only three points separate the sides, both of which will be looking to bounce back from disappointing results at the weekend. 

At odds of around 5/4, Middlesbrough are the favourites here and may even represent value as West Brom (9/4), have only won 7% of their games when priced accordingly.

In terms of team news, Matt Crooks is suspended meaning Chris Wilder could hand Australian midfielder Riley McGree his first start for the club. Elsewhere, Duncan Watmore will likely return up top at the expense of either Aaron Connolly or Folarin Balogun.

As for the visitors, Steve Bruce may stick with the back three to mirror tomorrow's opposition. Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson could rotate into the Baggies attack, replacing Adam Reach and Karlan Grant. 

Life at the Hawthorns has hardly gotten off to an ideal start for Steve Bruce. Under his tutelage the Baggies are yet to score a goal and have picked up just one point from a possible nine. 

As was the case under his predecessor, WBA have struggled in front of goal and this is best illustrated by the fact that they have generated the second largest xG total in the division (55.2) but are underperforming it by 21 goals. Under Bruce, they have racked up 42 shots- 12 of which on target- and an xG of 3.88. 

Following their latest defeat, at Kenilworth Road, it is rumoured that Bruce lambasted his side with so much gusto that it could be heard from outside the dressing room. However, I do not think he will get the reaction he is hoping for from this squad, as recent history shows that they crumble under pressure, which is why I am keen to get against the visitors here.

Boro come into this one on the back of a loss in a clash where they outshot their opponents 21-5. Like his opposite number, Wilder will be looking for a reaction from his squad, and, unlike his opposite number, I think he will get one. 

The hosts have won six of their last nine games and will relish a clash against out of sorts West Brom side knowing that a victory will put them back into the top six.

With Matt Crooks suspended, Riley McGree should slot in alongside Jonny Howson in the middle of the park. 

Originally on loan at Birmingham, Middlesbrough hijacked his permanent transfer from the A-League’s Charlotte FC in January and after some impressive cameo’s, he looks set for his first Boro start on Tuesday. 

McGree is extremely easy on the eye, but he has an edge. In 13 appearances for the Blues, he racked up five bookings, which is extremely impressive considering he played less then 1,000 minutes for them in the Championship. 

In a domestic career spanning just over a century of appearances, he has accumulated 16 bookings making Bet365’s price of 5/1 at least a point too long. If you were to base his price purely on his time in England, 2/1 would represent sufficient value which goes a little way to explaining why he is as short as 11/8 with Bet365. 

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.