Preston North End vs Middlesbrough: Predictions, Betting odds, Lineups, Preview

• Middlesbrough backed to maintain their perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win at Deepdale

• The head-to-head record shows both sides can win this fixture, but Preston often win at home

• Hayden Hackney will get on the ball and pull the strings for Rob Edwards' table-toppers

Explore Ladbrokes’ detailed preview for Preston North End vs Middlesbrough in the Championship. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 12:30 BST match.

• Fixture: Preston North End vs Middlesbrough

• Date: Saturday, 13 September 2025

• Kick-off: 12:30 BST

• Venue: Deepdale

Match Prediction: Preston North End 1-2 Middlesbrough

Preston North End have been a bit up and down lately, but they've shown they can nick a win at home. They'll need to be solid at the back against a Middlesbrough side that's been on fire, winning their last four league matches. If Preston can keep it tight and hit Middlesbrough on the break, they might just pull off a surprise.

Middlesbrough are in top form and will fancy their chances away from home. They've been scoring goals for fun and look hard to stop. But, they'll need to be wary of Preston's home advantage and their ability to grind out results. It could be a close one, but Middlesbrough's current run might just see them through.

Preston have been in mixed form recently, losing away to Portsmouth but picking up wins against Ipswich and Leicester at home. They'll be looking to use that home form to their advantage against Middlesbrough. The draw against QPR shows they can be tough to beat, but they'll need to be more clinical in front of goal to get the better of a confident Middlesbrough side.

Recent Championship Results:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Portsmouth (A)

• Win: 1-0 vs Ipswich Town (H)

• Win: 2-1 vs Leicester City (H)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Queens Park Rangers (A)

Middlesbrough are absolutely flying at the moment, with four straight wins under their belt. They've been solid at the back and dangerous going forward, which bodes well for their trip to Preston. If they can keep up this level of performance, they should be able to handle whatever Preston throw at them. But, they can't afford to take their foot off the gas.

Recent Championship Results:

• Win: 1-0 vs Sheffield United (H)

• Win: 2-1 vs Norwich City (A)

• Win: 3-0 vs Millwall (A)

• Win: 1-0 vs Swansea City (H)

Historically, the results have been fairly even between these teams, with Preston winning two of the last five meetings and Middlesbrough winning two, with one draw. Both teams have shown they can get the better of each other, so it's all to play for.

Recent Championship Results

• Preston North End 2-1 Middlesbrough (25 Jan 2025)

• Middlesbrough 1-1 Preston North End (14 Sep 2024)

• Preston North End 2-1 Middlesbrough (14 Feb 2024)

• Middlesbrough 4-0 Preston North End (28 Nov 2023)

• Middlesbrough 4-0 Preston North End (18 Mar 2023)

• Alfie Devine  (Muscle) - Doubt

• Milutin Osmajic (Rib) - Doubt

• Bradley Potts (Muscle) - Doubt

• Robbie Brady (Calf) - Doubt

• Will Keane (Muscle) - Doubt

• Jordan Thompson (Leg) - Doubt

• Josh Seary (Knee) - Doubt

• Riley McGree (Muscle) - Doubt

• Alex Bangura - (Hamstring) - Doubt

• Seny Dieng (Achilles Tendon) - Out

• Iversen, Storey, Gibson, Hughes, Valentín, Thórdarson, Whiteman, McCann, Small, Jebbison, Smith

Preston will look to use their solid backline to frustrate Middlesbrough, while relying on the pace of their forwards to hit them on the counter whenever the opportunity arises.

With the arrival of Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong, Preston will also have an added option in midfield now.

• Brynn, Ayling, Fry, Jones, Brittain, Morris, Hackney, Silvera, Whittaker, Hansen, Conway

Middlesbrough's attacking trio will be key to breaking down Preston's defence, with their pace and creativity likely to cause problems. The loss of Riley McGree might force them to be more cautious in midfield.

We may also see debuts for Middlesbrough's three deadline-day arrivals, Alan Browne, Jon McLaughlin and David Strelec.

• Daniel Jebbison vs Dael Fry: Jebbison's physicality will be tested against Fry's experience at the back.

• Andrew Hughes vs Morgan Whittaker: Whittaker's flair and pace will be a handful for Hughes to deal with.

• Michael Smith (Preston North End): Smith's goal-scoring form could be crucial for Preston.

• Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough): Silvera's creativity and work rate in midfield will be key to Middlesbrough's success.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.