Middlesbrough vs Preston: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview

Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough is set to meet Preston North End on Saturday at Riverside Stadium. With three recent league victories under their belt, Middlesbrough aims to secure their fourth consecutive win. Preston currently faces challenges in maintaining their promotion playoff hopes following back-to-back defeats.

Middlesbrough’s Recent Form

Middlesbrough has regained momentum after a four-match winless spell. They recently achieved a convincing 4-0 victory against Southampton. This was followed by a thrilling 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion and a hard-fought 2-1 triumph against Stoke City.

• Current standing: 2nd place, 52 points from 28 games
• Recent home form: Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 1 in the last five home matches
• Historical match-up: Two wins in the last three home encounters against Preston

Middlesbrough’s most recent encounter with Preston at Riverside resulted in a 1-1 draw in September 2024.

Preston North End’s Challenges

Despite being in the top six of the Championship, Preston heads into the match following three consecutive home losses. Their recent outings included a shock defeat to League One’s Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup and a narrow 1-0 loss to Derby County. Most recently, they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Hull City.

• Recent away form: One win in the last five away games
• Defensive record: Joint-best defensive record on the road, conceding only 13 goals in 13 matches
• Last away win: 2-0 against Bristol City on January 4

Preston’s head coach, Paul Heckingbottom, is aware that scoring has been a struggle lately, as they haven’t found the back of the net in their last three games.

Team News

Middlesbrough has several key players unavailable for this clash. Coach Kim Hellberg will be without George Edmundson, Darragh Lenihan, Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura, Kaly Sene, and David Strelec. Meanwhile, Riley McGree and Callum Brittain might return but remain uncertain.

• Middlesbrough likely lineup:
  • Brynn
  • Browne
  • Ayling
  • Malanda
  • Targett
  • Hackney
  • Morris
  • Whittaker
  • Castledine
  • Burgzorg
  • Conway

Preston will miss goalkeeper Daniel Iversen and midfielder Robbie Brady due to injuries. Milutin Osmajic is also unavailable as he serves a three-match suspension. Goalkeeper Jack Walton is expected to start again.

• Preston likely lineup:
  • Walton
  • Storey
  • Gibson
  • Offiah
  • Valentin
  • Devine
  • Whiteman
  • Thompson
  • Small
  • Dobbin
  • Jebbison

Match Prediction

Middlesbrough is favored to win the match 2-0 based on their current form and home advantage. As they aim to extend their winning streak, this match offers a critical opportunity for both teams in their quest for promotion.