Middlesbrough – Preston

Middlesbrough host Preston in what looks like a one‑sided affair, with the home side perched in fifth place on 13 points after four wins, a draw and a loss, boasting a +4 goal difference (12‑8). Preston sit languishing at the bottom, 23rd with just three points from a solitary victory and a bleak –7 margin (6‑13). The gulf in form is stark, and the Bears will be keen to consolidate their push for the top spots, while the Lambs will be desperate for a morale‑boosting win to claw themselves out of the relegation zone. Their head‑to‑head record this season has already favoured Middlesbrough, making the fixture a crucial test of Preston’s resilience.