Middlesbrough vs Preston prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-11-27 19:45.
Even though Middlesbrough fell to just their second defeat across the last 13 competitive games over the weekend (W9, D2, L2), there were positives to be taken as they fought back from 2-0 down to draw level in Bristol, albeit going on to ultimately lose 3-2. Michael Carrick will likely be happy for this Riverside return after his side have clocked up some serious miles with a trip to Bristol and two jaunts to Devon across their last four games.
The Teessiders should feel confident on the banks of the River Tees too, as they’ve lost just four times across Carrick’s 22 home league games in charge of the club to date (W14, D4, L4). One of those games was a 4-0 trouncing of Preston North End, which was one of four victories by a 4+ goal margin under their current boss. Even so, Boro have a hoodoo to break here as they haven’t posted consecutive H2H league wins over the Lilywhites since 2010!
It was also a weekend to forget for Preston, who led Cardiff 1-0 until the sixth minute of second half stoppage time and still managed to lose 2-1, a result which boss Ryan Lowe described as a “kick in the teeth.” That put an end to Preston’s mini revival of back-to-back wins, but they somehow managed to maintain their tenuous grip on the final play-off berth.
Of course, Lowe’s men will likely slip out with anything less than victory here as just five points separate fifth all the way down to Middlesbrough in 12th place. Any success for the visitors could come from dead ball situations as over half (five) of their nine away league goals scored this season came from set piece situations, including two corners, two free kicks and a penalty.
Players to watch: Middlesbrough’s Sam Greenwood seems to be making the decision to exercise the buy option in his loan deal a no brainer after making goal contributions in four of his last five appearances (G3, A1). Trying to outdo him will be Preston’s top-scorer Will Keane (G4), who has scored against Middlesbrough for two different clubs .
Hot stat: Preston have failed to win 17 of the last 20 away league H2Hs (W3, D6, L11).