Middlesbrough predicted team vs West Brom with one harsh change for league leaders
Michael Carrick will be assessing a number of players ahead of Middlesbrough's clash with Championship league leaders West Brom, with the hope that they can build on that with another three points.
Carrick will be hoping that Riley McGree made it through his return unscathed, while Rav van den Berg was pushing to be back in contention for a starting spot after returning from injury to play the final 20 minutes at the weekend. On top of that, after missing out against Stoke, the Boro boss was also hoping that Matt Clarke and Tommy Conway might be able to return.
They say never change a winning side and despite the fact that it would be harsh to make any changes after such a good team performance on Saturday, we are predicting one change to the side that will take to the field at the Hawthorns. Here's our predicted team.
GK - Seny Dieng - A clean sheet last time out which was earned with one particularly good save at 0-0. He might expect to be busier in this one but can hopefully make any required saves again.
DR - Luke Ayling - Anfernee Dijskteel once again came into the Boro side and played so well on Saturday. In that sense, dropping him is extremely harsh. Alas, with his place in the team ultimately because Ayling was needed at centre-back, we're predicting Ayling won't be needed there at West Brom. It's really harsh on Dijksteel, but ultimately against the league leaders, Carrick will want what he considers his best possible team in the pitch.
DC - Rav van den Berg - While it would be a boost to have Matt Clarke back as well, the likelihood is that Van den Berg's 20 minutes against Stoke has left him in a position to make his full return at the Hawthorns. In Josh Maja, West Brom have an instinctive finisher who is in fine goalscoring form right now and the Dutch defender will have to be at his best to deal with his threat.
DC - George Edmundson - That one change means we're predicting no Clarke return. Carrick can probably afford to have no need to rush him back because Edmundson, since debuting, has proven a really reliable option.
DL - Neto Borges - Much better from the Brazilian on Saturday against Stoke. As well as being protected better, it felt like he linked up well with Riley McGree and found the right balance between defence and attack. Hopefully he can build on that positive performance.
CM - Aidan Morris - The USA international midfielder has had such an impressive start to life at Middlesbrough and continues to thrive alongside Hayden Hackney. West Brom's three-man midfield - including former Boro loanee Alex Mowatt - have done so well this season, so Boro's midfield dup will have to be on their game in this one.
CM - Hayden Hackney - a welcome return to form on Saturday saw him cap such a positive performance with an excellent goal. The Teessider is hoping to add more goals to his game and it would certainly be helpful if he could pop up with another stunner in this one.
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RW - Ben Doak - The Liverpool loanee proved an inspiration to a much better attacking performance from Boro at the weekend as his pace and dribbling ultimately brought a new threat and spark to Boro's attack. He was sporting an ice pack on his knee after that he assured was just a precaution. Hopefully that is the case and he can start again in this one, with his ability to frighten defences potentially invaluable for Boro this season.
AM - Finn Azaz - Saturday saw Azaz move back into his more-favoured central role and it showed. He looked far more comfortable there, while Boro looked so much more balanced overall. While there was hope Conway could return, we're predicting Carrick sticks with Azaz, who, with competition from Conway in mind, will feel he needs a big performance.
LW - Riley McGree - A lot was naturally made of just how impressive Ben Doak was against Stoke, but the influence of the returning McGree should not be underestimated either. He added more balance, purpose and guile to the Boro attack thanks to his familiarity to what's required. It will be a huge help if he came through that game unscathed and is able to stay in the team.
ST - Emmanuel Latte Lath - No goals against Stoke but two massive contributions to the two goals that Boro did score as well as being unlucky with two of his own opportunities. Hopefully he can build on that and get back among the goals quickly, but the Ivorian's overall performances are still positive right now.