Middlesbrough v Preston Preview

Aitor Karanka praised in form player maker Gason Ramirez ahead of his sides home clash with Preston this afternoon.

The Uruguayan, on loan from Southampton, has scored six goals in 11 appearances since his arrival in January. He scored twice- as well as winning a penalty- as Boro swept Huddersfield aside on Tuesday night.

“When fit he is an amazing player” said the Boro boss whose side have won their last three games. “The player who changed everything (against Huddersfield) was Gaston, every time he touched the ball he was a problem for them and he is improving every single day”.

Ramirez’s form has been a revelation for Boro’s promotion hopes, and with seven games to go their fate is in their own hands.

They remain a point behind leaders Burnley and are a point ahead of Brighton in third; both, however, have played one game more than Karanka’s side.

A home match against a mid-table Preston side may appear a favourable fixture; however Karanka remained wary of a potential slip up, especially after the goalless draw between the two sides back in August.

“They are really organised and we had a lot of problems against them (in the reverse fixture), we have to trust our style and play with intensity and try to score as soon as possible”.

Team News

Karanka admitted that Boro ‘would have to wait’ on the fitness of Ben Gibson and Adam Clayton after both sustained knocks in mid-week.

Gibson played with pain in his hip throughout the game against Huddersfield while Clayton sustained a dead leg and didn’t train with the team the following day.

After Tuesday’s defeat at home to Fulham, Preston were left with a number of injury concerns. Defender Tom Clarke sustained concussion, while Calum Woods and Jordan Hugill picked up calf and ankle injuries respectively but could still feature.

Adam Reach, on loan from Boro, is ineligible to play against his parent club but Jermaine Beckford could return after a long term injury.

The Opposition

Preston are a team which have improved as the season has gone on. Following their draw with Boro in the opening game of the season, they slipped into the bottom three in the middle of October after recording just one win in their first 11 league games.

Since then their Championship credentials have never been in doubt, and they now sit a comfortable 10^th place following their promotion from League One last season.

Simon Grayson is an experienced manager at this level and his side have been strong at the back this campaign conceding just 38 goals.

Preston’s best run was in February when they won 4 games in a row but since then results have been more up and down. Last Saturday they beat Blackburn away from home however they then lost at home to Fulham on Tuesday night.

One To Watch

Paul Gallagher

The 31-year-old midfielder has been one of Preston’s most influential players this campaign after he signed permanently for the club in the summer.

He has made 35 league appearances in the heart of midfield this campaign, contributing with five goals and five assists. He is also influential at the other end and has helped make Preston difficult to break down this season. He has picked up nine yellow cards in the process.

Last Time Out

Preston 0 Middlesbrough 0

Neither side really did enough to win the reverse fixture back in August, as both sides began the season with a goalless draw.

Boro had the best chance of the game in the first half but Grant Leadbitter shot wide when he was sent through on goal.

Preston also came close to scoring but Will Keane’s header was cleared off the line by George Friend.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

After three wins in a row most of the team pick it's self. Clayton and Gibson picked up knocks against Huddersfield so could be rested, especially with another game on Tuesday.  However they have worthy replacements in Forshaw and Ayala.

The main dilemma for Karanka will be upfront and whether to stick with Jordan Rhodes or bring in David Nugent. I would go with Nugent on this occasion for his energy and ability to close the ball down quickly, which will be important against a stern Preston defence.