• West Brom play their first match under new boss Eric Ramsay, who spent the past two years as coach of MLS side Minnesota United

• Middlesbrough are second in the Championship table despite winning only one of their last five games

• Recommended bet: Draw

Like Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid, West Brom opted to mark the new year with a change of manager and Eric Ramsay leads the Baggies into Friday's Championship clash with Middlesbrough.

Ramsay has arrived from MLS side Minnesota United to succeed Ryan Mason, who was sacked after last week's 2-1 defeat at Leicester.

Interim boss James Morrison led West Brom to a penalty-shootout victory at Swansea in Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie while Middlesbrough lost 3-1 at Premier League Fulham.

However, improving the Baggies' league position is the priority for Ramsay, who faces a daunting debut against a Boro side sitting in the automatic-promotion places.

The latest West Brom vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

West Brom will assess the fitness of midfielders Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby, who missed the weekend FA Cup trip to Swansea.

Youngsters Harry Whitwell and Cole Deeming have been recalled from their loan spells at Forest Green and Truro City.

Middlesbrough may again be missing the injured Alex Bangura, Callum Brittain, Riley McGree, Darragh Lenihan and George Edmundson.

Newcastle are debating whether to recall on-loan left-back Matt Targett in this month's transfer window.

The latest West Brom vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

West Brom have lost six of their last eight games in the Championship.

Only two of the Baggies' 13 league defeats this season have come at home.

Both teams scored in four of West Brom's last five league and cup matches.

Middlesbrough have failed to score in four of their last five Championship matches.

Boro have conceded only two first-half goals in their last nine league games.

Middlesbrough have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions.

Prediction

West Brom's dismal away record cost Ryan Mason his job as last week's loss at Leicester was their 10th straight league defeat on the road.

However, the Baggies have been competitive at The Hawthorns and they should be backed to pick up a point against Middlesbrough on Friday.

New manager Ramsay is something of an unknown quantity but the 34-year-old has some quality to work with at West Brom.

Their line-up at Swansea on Saturday included experienced defender Chris Mepham, former Chelsea right-back Alfie Gilchrist, Northern Ireland star Isaac Price and strikers Josh Maja and Daryl Dike.

The Baggies have lost only two of their first 12 home matches in the league although they have been helped by a soft fixture list on their own patch.

Preston and Bristol City are the only top-10 clubs to visit The Hawthorns and Middlesbrough kick off this round of fixtures in second place.

But Boro have in-form Ipswich breathing down their necks and they desperately needed a 4-0 home win over Southampton on January 4.

That victory followed a run of four games in which they lost to nil against Bristol City, Hull and Derby and drew 0-0 at home to struggling Blackburn.

The league table suggests Middlesbrough should be appealing outsiders at West Brom but the draw looks a better bet given Boro's patchy form and the Baggies' solid home record. 

Back the draw at 9/4 with LiveScore Bet

The latest West Brom vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet