West Bromwich Albion face a tough test of their perfect Championship start when they visit Middlesbrough on Saturday 29th August. The Baggies sit second in the table with six points from two wins, but they must overcome a poor historical record at the Riverside to make it three victories from three. According to a report from the BBC, Middlesbrough have won each of the last five league meetings between the sides.
West Brom's current league standing is impressive. They are second, having taken maximum points from their opening fixtures against Norwich City and Burnley, scoring five goals and conceding just two. Their next challenge is an away trip to face Middlesbrough, who are 11th in the table. A win would see Carlos Corberán's side win their opening three matches of a league season for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign. You can track their progress in the standings.
How has Jimmy-Jay Morgan started the season?
A major factor in West Brom's strong start has been the form of attacker Jimmy-Jay Morgan. The young forward is the only player to record multiple assists across the opening two matchdays of the 2026-27 Championship season, setting up two goals. Across all competitions, Morgan has been directly involved in five goals, scoring three and providing two assists. That total of five goal contributions is the highest of any player in the Championship so far this term. His creativity will be vital again this weekend.
What is West Brom's record like at Middlesbrough?
The historical data presents a significant hurdle for the visitors. West Brom have won just three of their last 28 away league matches against Middlesbrough, drawing seven and losing 18. They are winless in their last five trips to the Riverside Stadium, with one draw and four defeats since a 1-0 victory in October 2019. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, come into this match on the back of three consecutive home league wins. They last enjoyed a longer winning run at home between December 2022 and March 2023, when they strung together seven victories.
What are the early season stakes?
The match carries weight even at this early stage. Positions one and two in the Championship table mean automatic promotion to the Premier League, while places three through eight enter the promotion play-offs. The bottom three sides face relegation. West Brom, in second with six points, have made the ideal start to stake their claim. Middlesbrough are 12th with three points, having beaten Lincoln 2-1 on the opening day before a defeat. The context of the table is clarified by Southampton's four-point deduction for breaches of EFL regulations, which has reshaped the early standings.
West Brom's immediate focus is solely on extending their winning run. After this fixture, their schedule continues with a series of Championship games you can view on our fixtures page. Maintaining their defensive solidity, which has seen them concede only twice, and leveraging Morgan's hot streak will be key to overcoming a bogey ground and solidifying their position in the automatic promotion spots.
