Preston v Middlesbrough Preview

In different circumstances Middlesbrough and Preston North End could have started this season two division’s apart, instead they meet on the opening weekend of the 2015/16 Championship season. Their paths to Sunday’s lunch time kick off both passed though the play-off finals at Wembley back in May, but whereas Preston rose to the occasion to gain promotion from League One, Boro missed out on a return to the Premier League and will have to start over again in England’s second tier.

Team News

Boro’s squad hasn’t altered a great deal from last season and they have managed to keep the nucleus of the side which almost earned them promotion last season. Their evident weakness is upfront where they no longer have the likes of Patrick Bamford or Jelle Vossen, who were there on loan last term. In their absence the burden could fall on Spanish striker Kike who has impressed during pre-season, they will also look to new signings Stewart Downing and Christian Stuani for inspiration, however Uruguayan forward has only just passed international clearance and hasn’t featured during pre-season. In defence centre back Ben Gibson is unlikely to start due to a hamstring strain so Jack Stephen, on loan from Southampton could make his debut.

While Boro’s success last season was built at the back, Preston’s came from the front. Forward Joe Garner found the back of the net 26 times last campaign, while his strike partner Jermaine Beckford scored 18 times including a hat-trick in the play-off final against Swindon. There will be even more competition for places this time around and that’s partly due to the arrival of striker Will Keane who has  arrived on a season-long loan from Manchester United and could make his competitive debut. Another potential debutant is full back Marnick Vermijl who signed on loan from Sheffield Wednesday this week; he will join a sturdy defence which conceded just 40 goals last season thanks to defenders like Paul Huntington and Peter Clarke.

Facts and Stats

Their last meeting was in the 2^nd round of the Capital One Cup last season which Boro won 3-1 at the Riverside.

Preston haven’t beaten Boro since an FA cup tie back in 1987, the sides have met seven times since.

Their last meeting at Deepdale was also in the Capital One Cup back in 2012 which Boro also won 3-1.

Preston lost just one league game at home last season which came against Bradford in November.

Middlesbrough striker Kike

Key Players 

Boro's Key

Kike – With a season of English football under his belt, more will be expected from the Spanish striker. He found the back of the net 10 times in the league last season, which included a goal in the play-off semi-final against Brentford, however he spent most of the season as a third choice striker behind Patrick Bamford and Jelle Vossen. But with those two gone and Boro yet to replace them, Kike could be faced with a more significant role at the start of this campaign.

Preston striker Joe Garner

One To Watch

Joe Garner – The Preston striker scored 26 goals in all competitions last season, 25 of which came in the league. At 27 this is his time to prove he can cut it at Championship level after struggling to impress in the division at Nottingham Forest and Watford. Following promotion to the second tier, Preston’s first aim will be to stay there. A 15-20 goal striker would go some way to achieving that and Garner will hope to be that man starting in Sunday’s opener.

Recent Form 

Middlesbrough pre-season results

York City 0-1 W

Doncaster Rovers 0-0 D

Barnsley 0-4 W

Getafe 1-0 W

Preston’s pre-season results

Chorley FC 0 - 0 D            

Bamber Bridge FC 0 - 4   W           

Hearts   1 -0 W  

Southport FC 0-4 W

Motherwell 1-2 W

Carlisle United 4-3 L

Ashington AFC 0-1 W

Bury FC 3-2 L

Prediction  

Preston North End 1 Middlesbrough 1

As a Boro fan I fancy our chances this season and expect us to compete at the top once again; however I see this as a potential tricky opener away from home. Both sides were good at the back last season so I can’t see it being a goal fest. Most of Boro’s success in the last campaign came at home so I think this one could end in a draw.