Preston vs Middlesbrough prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-10-28 14:00.
The rock-solid Preston North End defence that kept seven consecutive clean sheets to open the campaign is no more than a distant memory, as they’ve now conceded 71% of their league goals this term across their last five games (W2, L3). A heavy 4-2 defeat in the West Lancashire derby against Blackpool last time out was particularly painful, though boss Ryan Lowe was seemingly unable to accept reality for fact when stating “it definitely wasn’t a 4-2”.
Lowe may have had a point as his side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as well as more shots on goal, yet it’s clinical edge in the final third that the Lilywhites are lacking. Returning to Deepdale is unlikely to inspire confidence on the goal scoring front either as Preston have won just once here all season (D4, L3), and that’s despite keeping a joint league-high four home clean sheets.
A new era dawns for Middlesbrough with the appointment of Michael Carrick as their new boss. Former Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate also re-joined his boyhood club as a first team coach and the pair will now attempt to resurrect Boro’s floundering promotion bid after a rocky start to the season (W4, D5, L7) sees them outside of the relegation zone by virtue of goals scored alone ahead of the round.
Having made 464 appearances for Manchester United, Carrick is set for his first senior coaching role since a three-game stint as United’s caretaker manager (W2, D1). There is a sense of cautious optimism around the new boss given Boro’s history of success when giving ex-United personnel their first roles in senior management. Bryan Robson achieved promotion to the top-flight, before Steve McClaren guided Boro to League Cup glory and a European final!
Players to watch: One of Boro’s big summer targets Emil Riis will seek to punish his potential suitors after scoring in two of Preston’s last three wins and netting a brace in the last H2H. Trying to outdo him will be Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom who looks a revived force since returning from his loan spell in Greece and has netted in their last two away wins.
Hot stat: Boro have kept as many clean sheets (two) since Chris Wilder’s sacking (W2, D1, L2) as they did in the opening 12 competitive games of the season.