West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough. Premier League.
The HawthornsAttendance23,690.
Sunday 28 August 2016 13:32, UK
Kane Wilson could make Premier League history if he features for West Brom as they host Middlesbrough, live on Super Sunday on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm.
The full-back would become the first player born in the 21st century to feature in the Premier League - born in March 2000 - after making his debut in Tuesday's EFL Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Northampton.
It makes just one win so far this season for Tony Pulis' men and while the boss has admitted he needs bodies at the Hawthorns, he has insisted he will not be panic buying before Wednesday's deadline day.
"I'm not going to panic and bring a load of players in to satisfy people out there and then, after two weeks, they say they are no better than what we've got," he said.
"I still think I'm getting them [the five players]. I have been at the club for two years and we have re-signed a lot of players who were under contract, but I have also said we need new impetus."
Middlesbrough featured live on Sky Sports last weekend, beating local rivals Sunderland, and are unbeaten in the Premier League but also suffered an EFL Cup defeat to Fulham in midweek.
But Aitor Karanka was boosted by Adam Forshaw, who signed a new four-year deal on Friday and trusts that his team can compete despite their depleted ranks.
Wilson, 16, could replace Everton loanee Brendan Galloway, who picked up a hamstring injury at the Sixfields Stadium, although he will be assessed ahead of Sunday's game.
A certain absentee, though, is Chris Brunt, who is not expected to return from a knee injury until next month at the earliest.
Middlesbrough will be without a specialist left-back at West Brom on Sunday, with injuries taking their toll on his squad and Karanka admits someone will have to play out of position to plug the gap.
George Friend (calf), Fabio da Silva (knee) and James Husband (dislocated shoulder) will all be missing.
Victor Valdes and Marten de Roon (both hamstring) will also sit out, as will long-term absentee Grant Leadbitter (hernia surgery), although defender Bernardo Espinosa could make the squad after shaking off a knee problem.
West Brom have won their last four league clashes with Middlesbrough, scoring 11 and conceding none.
David Nugent has scored in both of his league games against West Brom at the Hawthorns (December 2006 and April 2015).
Cristhian Stuani scored twice on his Premier League debut for Middlesbrough last weekend - only Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, Alen Boksic and Mido have scored on their opening two Premier League appearances for the club.
Boro last won successive Premier League away games in February 2006, with back-to-back wins against Sunderland and West Brom.
Alvaro Negredo has been involved in all three of Middlesbrough's Premier League goals so far this season (one goal, two assists).
Middlesbrough (634) have completed double the number of passes that West Brom (317) have in the Premier League this season.
West Brom have scored 55 goals in 58 Premier League matches under Tony Pulis (0.95 per game).
Saido Berahino has just one goal and no assists in his last 26 Premier League appearances (1,420 mins played).
Middlesbrough have conceded only 33 goals in 48 league games since the start of last season - the fewest in the top four tiers of sides to play in both 2015-16 and 2016-17.
I was really impressed with Middlesbrough against Sunderland. Some of the football they played was brilliant and the passing and movement for the second goal was as good as you will get this season.
I think they will at least get a draw and I would be surprised if West Brom won. They need to buy some players, Tony Pulis has said they need five, I think they need at least three.
As long as Tony is manager, they will stay up, but if they get carried away during the season and don't want him any more I would be shocked if they stayed up. They will still beat teams along the way and make it hard.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
