Preston North End head into their Championship encounter with Middlesbrough on Wednesday night hoping to lift themselves into the top half of the table with a much-needed home victory.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their last five away matches in the league, including last weekend's 1-0 loss to Stoke City.

Match preview

Preston have finally managed to secure points at Deepdale in recent weeks, which has ended their miserable losing run on home soil.

The Lilywhites had lost their opening five league matches at home but have since picked up four points from a possible nine available, beating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 and drawing 2-2 with Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.

Tom Barkhuizen's strike in the 14th minute gave Preston an early lead, but the Lilywhites needed an 87th-minute own goal from Wycombe's Jason McCarthy to help rescue a point after they capitulated in the second half.

Manager Alex Neil admitted after the draw with Wycombe that his side did not deserve to win as they had missed too many good opportunities in the final third.

Even though Preston have scored 22 goals this season – more than Norwich City, who sit top of the table – they have at times lacked a clinical edge up front, which has cost them in several home matches this campaign.

The Lilywhites, who have won only one of their last 16 league matches against Middlesbrough, could move into the top half of the table if they were to secure their second home win of the season on Wednesday.

Neil Warnock is keen for his Middlesbrough side to find consistency after they have alternated with three defeats and two victories in their last five matches.

A header from Nathan Collins in the 19th minute was enough for Stoke City to narrowly beat Boro last Saturday and Warnock admitted that his side "lacked quality in the final third" which proved costly.

Middlesbrough have scored 16 goals so far this season, the lowest of any side currently in the top 10 of the Championship.

They have however looked strong defensively, as they have conceded the fewest number of goals in the league along with Swansea City, conceding only 10 times, with five of those goals coming in their last three games.

Warnock, who turned 72 last week, will be hoping to get back to winning ways and secure the three points that would potentially move them up to seventh, one place outside the playoff positions.

Preston North End Championship form: LWLLWD

Middlesbrough Championship form: DLWLWL

Team News

Preston were dealt a huge blow last Tuesday as it was announced that centre-back Patrick Bauer will miss the rest of the season following an Achilles tendon injury suffered in the victory at Bournemouth.

Midfielder Ben Pearson picked up an injury against Wycombe which could see Brad Potts or Josh Harrop replace him in the starting lineup.

Middlesbrough right-back Anfernee Dijksteel, who missed the defeat at Stoke, is doubtful and is more likely to return against Millwall on Saturday.

Ashley Fletcher and Marcus Browne are doing well in their rehabilitation from hamstring injuries but remain out of contention for the time being.

Forwards Britt Assombalonga and Duncan Watmore are both likely to return to the starting lineup, after beginning the match against Stoke on the bench.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Rudd; Browne, Huntington, Davies, Rafferty; Ledson; Potts, Johnson; Barkhuizen, Maguire, Sinclair

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Spence, McNair, Fry, Bola; Howson, Morsy, Saville; Tavernier, Assombalonga, Watmore

We say: Preston North End 0-1 Middlesbrough

Preston have not impressed at Deepdale this season and Wednesday's match could be another difficult task for them. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last eight away league matches against the Lilywhites and with the combination of their defensive strength and their quality up front, they should find a way to secure a narrow away victory.

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