On Wednesday night, Preston and Middlesbrough clash at Deepdale, as both teams look to move closer to the play-off spots in the Championship.
Preston are 15th in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the play-off spots in the English second tier. A recent mixed run of form has hampered North End’s attempts at returning to the top-six of the league.
A 2-2 home draw with Wycombe last time out means that Alex Neil’s team have won just one of their last four league games. On the flip-side, they have taken four points from their last two matches in the Championship.
The home sides recent matches in the league have certainly not been dull, as their last four Championship matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
Preston have a woeful recent home record in the Championship, as North End have won just one of their last eight home matches while suffering five defeats in the process.
A poor defensive record has been at the heart of their poor recent home results, as Preston have conceded at least two goals in four of their previous five league matches at Deepdale.
Like the home team, Middlesbrough have experienced an inconsistent Championship campaign so far. However, the team from the north east are tenth in the table and could move level on points with sixth-place Brentford with a win in this clash and the Bees lose their home match against Derby.
Boro’s recent league form has not been great, as Neil Warnock’s team has won two and lost three of their last five matches in the second tier.
The visitors have been poor travellers of late in the Championship, winning just one of their previous eight matches on their travels, while failing to win in five games in the second tier.
Forebet predicts that Middlesbrough will improve that woeful recent away record by claiming a victory in a high-scoring encounter.