West Bromwich have made a convincing start and are top of the standings after seven rounds. They have won five of the seven rounds with one defeat. The club has scored 16 points and is one point ahead of the nearest pursuers in the form of Sunderland and Blackburn.
Middlesbrough are very unstable at the beginning of the season, but the team does not have the most powerful resources – so it is difficult for them to compete with richer clubs. The club have 11 points and remain just two points away from sixth place.
West Bromwich are scoring an average of two goals per game in the current league campaign, while Middlesbrough are scoring at least one goal. Four of the six previous matches between these rivals have ended with both teams scoring.