It has been a rotten start to management for Jonathan Woodgate and he will likely have been happy to take a breather during the international break.

The Middlesbrough job is Woodgate’s first in senior management and his side have slumped to 20th in the Championship through 11 games–just two points above the relegation zone.

They will be hoping to kick-start their season on the back of the break but are heading into a tough run of games, with league leader’s West Bromwich Albion, on-the-up Huddersfield Town, and Fulham, who have arguably the finest squad in the division, their next three opponents.

Slaven Bilic’s Baggies arrive at the Riverside having lost just once all season, winning 13 points from a possible 15 since suffering that defeat, so it looks set to be a stern test for Boro.

With that in mind, here’s the starting XI Woodgate is likely to go with on Saturday.

Fresh off an outstanding performance for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, Darren Randolph looks certain to start in goal for the hosts. The 32-year-old has been ever-present for Boro this season and looks to have his work cut out for him against the Championship’s second-top scorers.

In front of him, Daniel Ayala and Dael Fry have emerged as Woodgate’s first-choice centre-back pairing and they look set to reprise their roles.

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The Baggies wingers have terrorised defences this season, so it could be a difficult afternoon for Boro’s full-backs. With that in mind, the home side will likely go with the more defensively-minded Ryan Shotton rather than Marc Bola on the left, with Anfernee Dijksteel on the right.

Woodgate has preferred a 4-3-3 formation this season and despite the shaky start, he is unlikely to move away from that. With a tough defensive test on their hands, it seems likely that the hosts will go with a midfield three of Adam Clayton, Jonny Howson, and Paddy McNair.

The latter has been pigeon-holed as a defender in the past but has looked really impressive getting into the opposition box this season, scoring four goals for club and country, so he could be a threat for the hosts.

No side in the top eight have conceded more goals than West Brom this season, so there could be opportunities for the Boro forward line. Britt Assombalonga has been Woodgate’s main goal threat this season and looks certain to lead the line.

Marcus Tavernier put in arguably his best performance of the season against Birmingham City before the international break, so he may get another chance to impress, while Ashley Fletcher, who has contributed to the second-most goals in the Boro squad, looks likely to start on the other flank.