Middlesbrough welcome Preston North End to the Riverside Stadium in a Championship clash.
Victory would see Middlesbrough climb as high as eighth if Hull lose at home to Rotherham, whilst Preston can go as high as fourth with a win if West Brom lose at Cardiff.
Team News
Lukas Engel is ruled out for Middlesbrough after he suffered an ankle injury during their loss away at Bristol City.
Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith (both Achilles), Lewis O’Brien (ankle/leg), Riley McGree (foot) and Marcus Forss (thigh) remain ruled out.
Preston will be without Robbie Brady after he was red carded during their home defeat to Cardiff last weekend.
Liam Millar is a doubt after he suffered a minor ankle injury against the Bluebirds.
When is Kick-Off?
Middlesbrough host Preston at Riverside Stadium on Tuesday 28 November in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports Arena in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Middlesbrough have won two of their last six meetings against Preston (W2, L4).
- Preston have claimed seven points in their last five visits to Middlesbrough (W2, D1, L2).
- Middlesbrough have kept clean sheets in four of their last seven meetings at home to Preston.
- Middlesbrough have won four of their last five home matches (W4, L1), during which they kept clean sheets in three of those four victories.
- Preston have scored in six of their last seven matches (W2, D2, L3).
Prediction
Given how much of a hoodoo their away trips to Bristol City have been in the past decade, Middlesbrough shouldn’t be too disappointed with their loss because they fought back to level at 2-2 but they must cut out their defensive mistakes now if want to fight for a play-off spot.
Preston meanwhile have their own issues with just two wins in their last ten games but have scored in six of their last seven games, whilst they’ve not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 games and were pretty much outclassed against Cardiff if not for their clinical opening goal.
This game therefore should have goals but back on home turf, Boro should have enough quality to match Preston, yet if the Lilywhites play like they did against the Bluebirds then this could well be a home win if Middlesbrough avoid any silly defensive errors.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Preston
Result: Middlesbrough 4-0 Preston
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