On Wednesday evening, Preston North End will host Middlesbrough with the hope of winning to boost their playoff chances in the Championship.
Currently, Preston is in the 10th position, and Middlesbrough has dropped down to 12th, four points behind Preston.
Match Preview
Middlesbrough has been inconsistent throughout the season, but three successive matches at the Riverside Stadium could have given them an opportunity to move back into the promotion race.
Unfortunately, they failed to win any of those matches against Rotherham United, Sunderland and Bristol City. This poor performance has led to doubts about Michael Carrick’s continuance as the head coach.
Despite reaching the EFL Cup semi-finals, Boro has had a poor season, with only four wins in 12 league fixtures. They drew with Rotherham and Sunderland, followed by a 2-1 loss against Bristol City on Saturday.
Trailing the playoff positions by six points, Boro’s chances of reaching the top six are slim, and they need to win both in the short term and long term to get back into contention.
In contrast, Ryan Lowe’s Preston outfit has 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.
However, there is now renewed belief at Deepdale, and two home matches in a row could help them climb up the table. Lowe will not get carried away with these recent improvements, but he will back his side to come through this contest.
Preston North End Championship form: LWDWW
Preston North End form (all competitions): LWDWW
Middlesbrough Championship form: W LWDDL
Middlesbrough form (all competitions): WWDLWL
Team News
Lowe is expected to name the same Preston XI that won at Cardiff, with Ryan Ledson or Robbie Brady most likely to return if fresh legs are preferred. Kian Best and Duane Holmes are the only two players that are injured.
In contrast, Carrick will make several alterations, with Luke Thomas and Riley McGree both in line to get opportunities at left-back and in the final third.
Sam Greenwood could retain his spot in attack, and six players, including Matt Crooks who has completed a move to Real Salt Lake, will be absent.
Possible starting lineups:
Preston North End:
Woodman;
Storey, Lindsay, Hughes;
Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Millar;
Keane, Riis
Middlesbrough:
Glover;
Ayling, Fry, Van den Berg, Thomas;
Hackney, Barlaser;
Forss, McGree, Azaz;
Greenwood
Prediction: Preston North End 1-1 Middlesbrough
Preston has momentum on their side, and they are favourites to win at home. However, Boro needs a response, and we expect them to deliver, even if it is in the form of a draw.
