MX23RW : Sunday, March 16 06:06:46| >> :600:149596:149596:
[monks data]
Preston North End logo
Championship | Gameweek 32
Feb 14, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Deepdale
Middlesbrough logo

Preston
2 - 1
Middlesbrough

Millar (23'), Riis Jakobsen (60')
Storey (86'), Browne (90+2')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Azaz (57')
McGree (90+6')

Preview: Preston North End vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Preston North End and Middlesbrough, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Preston North End play host to Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening looking for the victory that could catapult them back into Championship playoff contention.

At a time when the home side sit in 10th position in the standings, Middlesbrough have recently dropped down to 12th, four points adrift of their next opponents.


Match preview

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick on January 23, 2024© Reuters

Although Middlesbrough have been inconsistent throughout this campaign, the prospect of three successive matches at the Riverside Stadium set up the opportunity to move back into the promotion mix.

Instead, a failure to win any of those fixtures against Rotherham United, Sunderland and Bristol City has led to doubts whether Michael Carrick should remain at the helm.

Reaching the EFL Cup semi-finals courtesy of a favourable route aside, Boro have been poor this season and draws with Rotherham and Sunderland were followed by a 2-1 reverse to Bristol City on Saturday.

Boro were 2-0 behind after 17 minutes and netted their goal in stoppage time, and there is a negative mood at the North East outfit after just four wins in 12 league fixtures.

Now trailing the playoff positions by six points, Boro are considerable outsiders to reach the top six and only wins will do in the short and long term if they are to get back into contention.

That is the response that Ryan Lowe has gotten from his Preston outfit, who have recorded back-to-back victories over Ipswich Town and Cardiff City respectively.

Preston had previously won just three of 13 games in the second tier to drop towards the mid-table positions, but there is now renewed belief at Deepdale.

Successive triumphs had not been posted since November 10 and they now sit just four points behind fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion ahead of two home matches in a row.

Given the downturn in performances earlier in the season, Lowe will not be getting carried away with the recent improvements, yet he will back his side to come through this contest with their only defeat in five being a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Leeds United.

Preston North End Championship form:


Preston North End form (all competitions):


Middlesbrough Championship form:


Middlesbrough form (all competitions):



Team News

Preston North End Manager Ryan Lowe on December 26, 2023© Reuters

Barring any fitness issues, Lowe is expected to name the same Preston XI that ran out convincing victors at Cardiff.

Lowe used his five substitutions effectively in the closing 17 minutes, with Ryan Ledson or Robbie Brady most likely to return should fresh legs be preferred.

As it stands, Kian Best and Duane Holmes are the only two players that are sidelined through injury.

In sharp contrast, Carrick will be expected to make several alterations, with Luke Thomas and Riley McGree both in line to get opportunities at left-back and in the final third.

With Josh Coburn likely to miss out again with a groin issue, Sam Greenwood could retain his spot in attack, and a further six players - including Matt Crooks who has completed a move to Real Salt Lake - will be absent.


Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Millar; Keane, Riis

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Glover; Ayling, Fry, Van den Berg, Thomas; Hackney, Barlaser; Forss, McGree, Azaz; Greenwood


SM words green background

We say: Preston North End 1-1 Middlesbrough

With momentum in their favour, Preston are justifiably favourites to come through this contest on home territory. However, Boro are in a position where they need a response, and we are backing Carrick's side to deliver, even if it is only in the form of a draw.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:536549:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11788:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Preston vs Middlesbrough

Preston North End
Draw
Middlesbrough
Preston North End
56.9%
Draw
22.2%
Middlesbrough
20.8%
72
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City's Patson Daka celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on December 9, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Watford vs. Leicester City
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds382311476255180
2Burnley382115252114178
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd37247652282477
4Sunderland381912755371869
5Coventry CityCoventry38178135548759
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381318748341457
7Bristol City38141594941857
8Middlesbrough38159145748954
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn38157164240252
10Watford38157164751-452
11Millwall381312133739-251
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds37149145358-551
13Norwich CityNorwich381213136054649
14Preston North EndPreston381017113944-547
15Queens Park RangersQPR381112154450-645
16Swansea CitySwansea38128183849-1144
17Portsmouth38119184661-1542
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd381012163955-1642
19Hull City381011173947-841
20Stoke CityStoke38912173751-1439
21Cardiff CityCardiff38912174262-2039
22Derby CountyDerby38108204051-1138
23Luton TownLuton3898213460-2635
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth38712194077-3733


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!