Ryan Mason must end six-year West Brom wait at Middlesbrough as Rob Edwards protects feat

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Two of the Championship’s best so far this season, Middlesbrough and West Brom, will face each other on Friday evening at the Riverside Stadium.

Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Preston North End on Saturday afternoon, with Rob Edwards’ side coming back from behind twice to snatch a point.

West Brom faced Derby County at the weekend, and despite dominating possession (68%), Ryan Mason’s side could not convert that into a goal before Andres Weimann won it for the Rams.

Middlesbrough and the Baggies have been two of the Championship’s best so far in the early stages, and will both be keen to start a winning run on Friday evening.

When analysing the recent results between Boro and West Brom, Mason will be keen for three points to end a barren six-year Baggies record.

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Ryan Mason must end wait for West Brom win at Middlesbrough

On Friday, Mason needs to learn from Tony Mowbray’s failure during West Brom’s most recent trip to Middlesbrough, and the Baggies must also end a barren club record.

Although the recent fixtures between the two sides have been very evenly contested, West Brom have not won at the Riverside in the last six years.

Slaven Bilic was the Baggies boss for their last victory at Middlesbrough, with a 2-0 win on Teesside in the Championship.

The most recent meeting at the Riverside was the aforementioned 2-0 defeat for West Brom under Mowbray, in which Hayden Hackney opened the scoring for Michael Carrick’s side before Liverpool loanee Ben Doak doubled the Baggies’ deficit.

Middlesbrough have made a brilliant start under Edwards, and their home form has been particularly impressive, which will pose further concern for Mason.

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Middlesbrough have not dropped points at home yet this season

So far this season, Middlesbrough have yet to drop points on home soil, with their first slip-up coming at Deepdale on Saturday.

Edwards has overseen two victories from his first two Championship games in charge at the Riverside, with 1-0 victories over Swansea City and Sheffield United.

Given that Boro have not conceded a goal on home soil this season, Mason’s visiting Baggies will have to be at their absolute best in the attacking sense to unlock Edwards’ defence.

With Isaac Price attracting Premier League attention for his performances of late, the attacking starlet could hold the key to unlocking Middlesbrough’s backline on Friday.