West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough: promotion chasers meet lower-half hosts | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion host Middlesbrough in the Championship on Friday, 16 January 2026 at The Hawthorns, with the visitors in second and the hosts 18th as both target points for very different aims.

West Bromwich Albion face a stern test against Middlesbrough, who won September's reverse fixture 2-1. The visitors arrive in the automatic promotion places, while the home side are looking to pull clear of the pack below.

Recent league form favours the travellers only slightly. The hosts have lost four of their past five Championship games, while Boro's last five read draw, loss, loss, win, loss.

Injuries could shape selection. The hosts list Alex Mowatt, Krystian Bielik, Ousmane Diakite, Tammer Bany and Harry Whitwell as out. Boro are without Darragh Lenihan, George Edmundson, Callum Brittain, Riley McGree, Alfie Jones, David Strelec, Alex Bangura and Mamadou Kaly Sene.

On the pitch, Boro have balanced control and resilience, scoring 37 and conceding 26, with 57% possession and 84.14% pass accuracy across the season. The hosts may lean on crosses and aerial play, having delivered a high volume from open play and scored eight headed goals, while Boro have four headed goals. Key threats include Aune Heggebo (eight league goals) and Michael Johnston (a league-high nine assists) for the hosts, with Morgan Whittaker (10 goals) and Hayden Hackney (five assists) leading for Boro.

A home win would move the hosts to 34 points and could ease lower-half pressure. Victory would take Boro to 49 points and strengthen their grip on the automatic promotion places.