Preston vs Middlesbrough prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-02-13 19:45.
Preston North End moved to within two points of the play-offs at the conclusion of the last round with a 2-0 win in Cardiff. That was their second win in succession and despite their form, the bookmakers don’t fancy them to prevail again at home to Middlesbrough. That’s a tag Preston won’t mind too much, as only Bristol City (nine) have won more often as pre-match Championship outsiders than Preston (W8, D4, L8).
Some troubling home form could be a cause for the lack of faith in Preston, as they have won just four of their last 11 home league games (D2, L5) after opening the season with a perfect four-game home start. Things could be improving on that front though, as three of those four have come across their last four games at Deepdale, and with three straight H2H wins over their north east visitors at home, Preston may feel they have a good chance of avenging their 4-0 humbling in the reverse.
Now sitting six points from the play-offs after a shock home defeat to Bristol City, Middlesbrough have won just twice across their last eight competitive outings (W2, D2, L4). During that time, key figures have left the club and with Matt Crooks now set to make a move to the USA, Michael Carrick’s men are even more shorthanded in attack, with players adapting to unfamiliar positions to fill the void left by departures and injuries.
Despite their issues, none of the last six sides to face Middlesbrough have stopped them from scoring, and it’s not all bad news as Boro have won as many away league games across their last four (W3, L1) as they did in their 14 prior. Adding to that with a victory will secure Middlesbrough’s first league double over Preston since 1973/74, when the legendary brothers Jack and Bobby Charlton clashed as managers of these two clubs.
Players to watch: Will Keane has scored five goals across his last three home appearances for Preston and has also found the net twice in personal home encounters against Middlesbrough. Trying to stop him will be Rav van den Berg, arguably Boro’s greatest defensive asset, who scored his first and only goal for the club in the reverse.
Hot stat: Middlesbrough have kept just one away league clean sheet this season, a joint Championship low.