Preston North End v Middlesbrough Prediction: Both teams to play their part

Preston are four points clear of Middlesbrough in a congested second tier but Boro have a game in hand and will be trying to close the gap in this midweek matchup.

Here we pick out the best bets for Wednesday’s Championship clash, kicking off at 19.45.

Team news

Kian Best and Duane Holmes are the only players currently missing for Preston through injury and they may field a similar side to the one that won against Cardiff last time out.

Josh Coburn is a doubt with a groin issue for a depleted Middlesbrough while Matt Crooks has moved to Real Salt Lake.

Alex Bangura, Tommy Smith, Darragh Leinehan and Emmanuel Latte Lath are injured for the visitors, while Jonny Howson and Isiah Jones are also doubts.

Match odds

Middlesbrough can be backed at 6/5 for the victory, while Preston North End are 11/5 outsiders and the draw is available at 9/4.

Over 2.5 goals is on offer at Evs, while both teams to score is priced at 8/11 and it is 2/1 for over 1.5 goals in the first half.

Middlesbrough to win and both teams to score @ 10/3

Middlesbrough have failed to live up to their very solid season last time out but there is still time for Michael Carrick’s side to launch a late play-off push as it is a typically tight top half in the Championship.

Boro have been in good form on the road recently and could carry that over into this clash with Preston.

The visitors have won and both teams have scored in three of their last four away matches and the same outcome is taken to land here.

Preston have won back-to-back matches but have still lost six of their last 11 games in all competitions and were convincingly beaten 4-0 by Boro in the reverse fixture.

Both teams have scored in six of the away team’s last eight outings and this pair should be able to put on an entertaining affair, with Middlesbrough likely to just edge it.

Marcus Forss to score at any time @ 11/5

A consistent goalscorer has been something of an issue for Middlesbrough this season and they have five players level as their top scorer in the league with five goals apiece.

Marcus Forss has missed much of the season through injury but is one of those Boro players on five Championship goals and has netted in three of his last four appearances.

With some injury issues up top and Matt Crooks’ departure, Middlesbrough may well look to the Finland international again and he is fancied to find the net at Deepdale.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.