Middlesbrough vs West Brom LIVE: Latest team news, updates and action from the Riverside

Middlesbrough will be aiming to return to winning form in the Championship when they welcome a strong West Brom side to the Riverside for Saturday’s lunchtime fixture.

The Baggies have made an excellent start to the league campaign under James Morrison, who came through the Middlesbrough academy. West Brom have collected victories over Norwich City and Burnley in their opening two Championship matches before giving Newcastle United a serious test in the cup during the week.

Boro, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend when they were beaten by Blackburn Rovers. Kim Hellberg’s team responded positively in the Carabao Cup, though, securing a convincing 3-1 away win against Doncaster.

Middlesbrough will now be looking to carry that momentum back into the league as they attempt to get their Championship campaign moving in the right direction again.

Follow all the latest developments from the Riverside, including team news, pre-match build-up and live updates from the 12:30pm kick-off.

West Brom team news

West Brom have named the same starting XI that began their 2-0 victory over Burnley last weekend.

Starting XI (4-4-1-1): O’Leary; Galves, Phillips, Campbell (c), Styles; Whitwell, Diakite, Molumby, Price; Horn Myhre; Morgan.

Substitutes: Ingram (GK), Williams, Mepham, Townsend, Nzingoula, Tunde, Bany, Heggebo, Stewart.

Boro team news analysis

Middlesbrough have made five alterations from the side that started their Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster.

Vitek, Brittain, Malanda, McGree and Lankshear all return to the starting lineup, replacing Brynn, Arfsten, Jones, Berhalter and Joseph.

There is also encouraging news for Boro with Tommy Conway included among the substitutes. The striker was expected to return to training on Thursday, which was reportedly his first session back, so his presence on the bench represents a welcome boost.

Middlesbrough could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with McGree potentially given the freedom to move forward from midfield and support the attack.

The decisions to leave Arfsten and Berhalter on the bench are also notable. Given West Brom’s strong start and Middlesbrough’s need to avoid becoming too open, the changes could be designed to provide greater balance and defensive stability.

Strelec is another player to keep an eye on from the substitutes’ bench, with his future at the club still uncertain.

Starting XI: Vitek, Brittain, Ayling, Malanda, Borges, Morris, Peart-Harris, McGree, Whittaker, Sarmiento, Lankshear.

Substitutes: Brynn, Jones, Phillips, Arfsten, Berhalter, Castledine, Conway, Joseph, Strelec.