Preston North End face Middlesbrough at Deepdale in a huge clash in the fight for a Championship Play-Off spot.
Victory would see Preston climb to eighth if Coventry and Sunderland both lose elsewhere, whilst Boro can go as high as 11th with a win.
Team News
Alan Browne is available for Preston despite suffering a knock along with Brad Potts in their win at Cardiff, although Potts will face a late fitness test.
Duane Holmes and Ched Evans remain absent with knee injuries.
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report following their defeat at home to Bristol City.
Alex Bangura, Isaiah Jones (both hamstring), Emmanuel Latte Lath (ankle) and Josh Coburn (groin) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Preston entertain Middlesbrough at Deepdale on Wednesday 14 February at 7:45pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Preston have won three of their last five meetings against Middlesbrough (W3, L2).
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last five visits to Preston (W1, D1, L3).
- Emil Riis Jakobsen has scored three goals in his last two home appearances for Preston against Middlesbrough.
- Will Keane has scored twice in each of Preston’s last two home games (W2).
- Four of Boro’s last five away goals in the Championship came after half-time.
Prediction
Now unbeaten in four of their last five games, Preston seem to have turned a corner because although they were outplayed at Cardiff, they were crucially resilient at the back but clinical enough up front to snatch the win with two goals from three shots.
Boro meanwhile failed to show up in the opening 20 minutes against Bristol City and were deservedly punished despite their second-half flourish minus clinical end product until injury-time, so it is important that they start well given how close the race for the play-off spots are.
I however don’t see Preston losing this especilly with Riise Jakobsen now back and Keane in hot form but if Boro can begin this match how they finished the second half at home to Bristol City, they could get something here.
Prediction: Preston 1-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Preston 2-1 Middlesbrough
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