The Championship quickly returns in midweek for another round of games, with six of the 12 taking place on Tuesday night. In this game, we've got two teams with promotion hopes going head to head, but both sides were beaten on Saturday, and have to find a way to bounce back here and get back on track.
Middlesbrough Form GuideOne of the favourites for promotion at the start of the season, a dreadful run of seven games without a win to kick things off left Middlbesbrough at the bottom of the table. They then went on a great run to recover, and recently it has been more mixed, but we are finally seeing the right kind of level from this team, even if its not as good as what some were expecting back in August.
Seven wins and three draws from 17 games is enough for mid table now, they've got 24 points on the board, four off the playoffs, where Preston, opponents here, hold onto the last playoff position. It was defeat for Middlesbrough on Saturday, they were beaten 3-2 in a wild game away at Bristol City.
Preston Form GuidePreston spent a short while at the start of the season in first position in the standings, but they've slid down the table since, and now find themselves in a much more realistic position. I think they've a chance of the playoffs, and should be in the top half, if they miss out.
But on return to action this weekend, they were beaten 2-1 at home to Cardiff, a game in which Preston found themselves down to 10 men. Before the break, two wins over Coventry and Blackburn ended a poor run, and they'll want more of that, rather than the performance we saw on Saturday.
Match PredictionI think on their day, both of these are strong sides and can compete for the playoffs. But the advantage here I am giving to Middlesbrough. They are back at home, have played well there recently, and I think that's enough to give them the edge in a very tight game.