Preston vs Middlesbrough Predictions

• Preston and Middlesbrough are in the lowest eight sides for total average goals per league game.
• Only two sides saw under 2.5 goals land more often than the 28 times in Middlesbrough’s league games (62%).
• This game is an absolute must win for Middlesbrough, which may affect the entertainment value if they edge ahead.
• Middlesbrough’s most common winning scoreline this league season is 2-0 (8/20 wins).

It all comes down to this for Middlesbrough

Preston North end have played out a familiar lacklustre season, never threatening a play-off push while not quite poor enough for a relegation scrap. All the final day holds for them is the opportunity to register a top-half Championship finish, a result which does nothing for them in the grand scheme of things.

On the other hand, this game is simply a must win for Middlesbrough, currently two points behind Luton and Sheffield United in the top-six, Boro must win while relying on one of those sides to drop points in order to earn a crack at gaining promotion.

A convincing 3-1 win over Stoke last time out in front of a rocking Riverside set up this crunch clash as boss Chris Wilder aims to become the villain to his beloved Sheffield United.

First goal wins?

Middlesbrough must act quick if they are to come up trumps, they have only won in away league games this term when hitting the opener. If Boro can edge ahead, it would surprise few if they dig in to grind out a low-scoring win given the magnitude of the occasion.

There has been a notable uptick in form, with Boro following up three consecutive away defeats with five unbeaten road games to this point, four of which produced two or fewer goals.

We predict that this will be one of, if not the most tense affair in the Championship on the final day and as such, we are going for under 2.5 goals as our main prediction. As for the correct score, we are sticking with Boro to repeat their most popular winning scoreline this season, 2-0.