Preston are set to welcome Middlesbrough to Deepdale for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon. The hosts are currently in ninth place at the time of writing, after picking up a steady total of seven points from their first four games before the September international break.
Meanwhile, the visitors have been the only perfect side in the division so far, as they sit pretty at the top of the table with four wins out of four. Nonetheless, we are expecting this to be an interesting battle between two of the league's better teams in the league's early stages.
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Preston vs Middlesbrough prediction: Boro to maintain perfect start?
Key stats
- Preston are on a two-game losing streak in all competitions.
- Middlesbrough have won three matches in a row in total.
- Two or more goals have been scored in each of the last 16 H2Hs in total across all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Preston 1-2 Middlesbrough
Given their perfect start to the season, we are backing Middlesbrough to take home another three points here. Preston will not make it easy for them though, and have held their own in the last few H2Hs.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Middlesbrough mooted as favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Middlesbrough are unsurprisingly the favourites with bookmakers to claim yet another three points on their travels. Preston can be backed to break their winning streak at just over 33%, while a draw is rated at just under 31%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Mixed bag
Across the last five H2Hs, both teams have won twice each in total, while there has also been one draw. Preston won this corresponding fixture 2-1 in the previous meeting, which may give them a psychological boost at Deepdale, but it will be a tough task this time around against the league's most in-form side.
England Championship 25/01/25
Preston
Middlesbrough
England Championship 14/09/24
Middlesbrough
Preston
England Championship 14/02/24
Preston
Middlesbrough
England Championship 28/11/23
Middlesbrough
Preston
England Championship 18/03/23
Middlesbrough
Preston
Preston preview: Key stars injured
Tottenham loanee Alfie Devine and top scorer Milutin Osmajic have both been ruled out for Preston through injury. Both Brad Potts and Robbie Brady are also unavailable for the hosts.
Predicted lineup: Iversen (GK); Storey, Gibson, Hughes; Valentin, Thordarson, Whiteman, McCann, Small; Smith & Dobbin
Last five results:
- Portsmouth 1-0 Preston
- Preston 2-3 Wrexham
- Preston 1-0 Ipswich
- Preston 2-1 Leicester
- Barrow 0-1 Preston
Middlesbrough preview: Dieng only injury
First-choice goalkeeper Seny Dieng is Middlesbrough's only notable injury absentee heading to Deepdale. Solomon Brynn should therefore continue in between the sticks for the visitors.
Predicted lineup: Brynn (GK); Ayling, Fry, Jones; Brittain, Morris, Hackney, Silvera; Whittaker, Nypan & Conway
Last five results:
- Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield United
- Norwich 1-2 Middlesbrough
- Millwall 0-3 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 0-4 Doncaster
- Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea
Player to watch: Tommy Conway
Tommy Conway netted the winning goal as Middlesbrough beat Sheffield United at the Riverside Stadium last time out in the Championship. The forward has now scored in each of Boro's last two matches, and so will be a player that Preston will have to try and keep quiet.