Tony Mowbray takes his first game in charge since 16 years as they travel to Middlesbrough for a Tuesday Night game under the lights at the Riverside Stadium.
It is 6th against 7th on Tuesday as both sides are fighting for promotion in the EFL Championship, Tony Mowbray is back in the dugout since leaving Birmingham City due to illness last season and now he is appointed as the next West Brom manager on a 2 and a half year contract and is back since the 2008-09 season.
He watched on from the stands on Saturday afternoon as Albion fought back from a goal down to earn a point at home to Stoke City.
Over the weekend Middlesbrough lost 2-1 to relegation-threatened Portsmouth who we face next after this game on Tuesday.
Player To Watch – Middlesbrough
Finn Azaz an ex West Brom player who came from our academy would be a key player to watch for Middlesbrough due to his current form and significant contributions this season.
He could be one of the players for Middlesbrough who could get something in this encounter, I remember last season when an ex academy player from the Baggies scored the only goal for Middlesbrough Morgan Rogers at the Riverside to defeat us 1-0.
Could Finn Azaz do the same as he has 8 goals and 9 assists to his name this season and could worry us come Tuesday evening.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Karlan Grant is a crucial player to watch for West Brom in the upcoming match against Middlesbrough. The 26-year-old forward has been a consistent goal-scoring threat for the team, often leading the attack with his sharp movement and composure in front of goal.
Despite missing Josh Maja due to injury, Grant has the ability to step up as the focal point of West Brom’s offense. His physical presence and ability to hold off defenders, combined with his quickness, make him a dangerous prospect in counter-attacks. With experience in the Championship, Grant’s leadership and finishing skills will be vital for West Brom as they seek to challenge Middlesbrough.
Line Up V Middlesbrough
A few changes would be made as Caleb Taylor would replace Mason Holgate and Diakite comes into midfield, Diangana would make a start and would play just behind Karlan Grant in attack with Fellows and Johnston as attacking wingers.
Prediction V Middlesbrough
Predictions for Middlesbrough away at the Riverside Stadium, it be a very tough game and it is Tony Mowbray’s first game back in charge so would it be a new manager bounce or would it end in a disappointing night in Middlesbrough?
First Half, Middlesbrough would be attacking trying to get the breakthrough but Alex Palmer would make some great saves by denying Azaz early on and Emmanuel Latte Lath’s effort too.
Near to half-time, the Baggies would break the deadlock with Mikey Johnston shooting wide from the box that would deny Thomas Glover to give us the lead at half time.
In the second half, I think we would double our advantage with Karlan Grant heading inside the box from Tom Fellows cross to make it 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium. However, Middlesbrough would get one back with Finn Azaz scoring to give them hope around the 60th minute mark.
Nothing much would happen throughout the game in added time I feel Middlesbrough would rob our 2-0 lead and come back to level it with Hayden Hackney scoring from a free kick to prevent Tony Mowbray from winning his first game and giving us another draw to suffer on the road.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-2 West Brom
Goalscorers for Middlesbrough: Finn Azaz, Hayden Hackney
Goalscorers for West Brom: Mikey Johnston, Karlan Grant
A 2-2 draw I’m going for and with a 2-0 scoreline I feel we could be robbed as we concede quite late on the road and I think Middlesbrough would give it there all.
I feel the Baggies would be up against it but near the end I could see a disappointing end here but I hope I’m wrong and hope we get all the three points we need but a draw is most fans would take with Middlesbrough one of our play off rivals I feel we should try and get three points out of this.