Preston v Middlesbrough prediction

Championship · · Deepdale

Updated · refreshed continuously

TACTIX’s free model pick for Preston v Middlesbrough, Championship on Sat, 12 Dec 2026 15:00 GMT posts shortly before kick-off. Form, head-to-head and league standing for both sides are below.

Match preview, in numbers

The match

Preston host Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday 12 December (kick-off 15:00 UK).

The key numbers

Preston have conceded 24 goals, the most of the 24 clubs (2026/27 so far).

Preston are winless in their last six matches in all competitions. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions. Middlesbrough have scored in six consecutive matches in all competitions.

Form and the table

11 of Preston’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (73%). Both teams scored in 10 of Preston’s last 15 results in all competitions (67%). At home, Preston have one win, one draw and six defeats in their last 8 home matches in all competitions — 0.50 points per game, scoring 0.75 and conceding 2.13. Preston have scored nine goals, the third-fewest (shared) of the 24 clubs (2026/27 so far).

10 of Middlesbrough’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (67%). Both teams scored in 10 of Middlesbrough’s last 15 results in all competitions (67%). Away from home, Middlesbrough have three wins, two draws and three defeats in their last 8 away matches in all competitions — 1.38 points per game, scoring 1.38 and conceding 1.50. Middlesbrough have scored 22 goals, the second-most of the 24 clubs (2026/27 so far). Middlesbrough have conceded 16 goals, the 12th-fewest (shared) of the 24 clubs.

Preston (24th) and Middlesbrough (third) are 18 points apart, 2026/27 so far. TACTIX’s Glicko-2 team ratings have Middlesbrough the stronger side, 457 rating points above Preston (Middlesbrough 1675, Preston 1218, after at least 425 rated matches each).

Head-to-head

The most recent meeting, on 24 January 2026, finished Middlesbrough 4–0 Preston.

Team news

Predicted Preston XI (3-4-1-2): D. Iversen, J. Storey, O. Offiah, A. Hughes, J. Thompson, L. Leroy, A. Devine, S. Mills, T. Small, C. Lang, D. Burgzorg — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, Alfie Devine (3.2 per match over 13 appearances, one goal) and Jordan Storey (3.0 per match over 11 appearances) have been Preston’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Preston (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Alfie Devine averages 2.4 key passes per 90 over 1044 minutes, with a key pass in seven of the last 10 appearances. Jordan Storey averages 1.0 tackles per 90 over 913 minutes, with a tackle in six of the last 10 appearances.

Predicted Middlesbrough XI (3-4-2-1): R. Vítek, A. Phillips, N. Borges, C. Brittain, A. Morris, S. Berhalter, R. McGree, A. Cozier-Duberry, T. Conway, M. Arfsten, W. Lankshear — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, Amario Cozier-Duberry (5.9 per match over seven appearances, two goals and three assists) and Aidan Morris (4.9 per match over 12 appearances, one goal) have been Middlesbrough’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Middlesbrough (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Amario Cozier-Duberry averages 2.5 key passes per 90 over 583 minutes, with a key pass in seven of the last eight appearances. Aidan Morris averages 0.8 key passes per 90 over 1060 minutes, with a key pass in six of the last 10 appearances.

Written from the matches TACTIX holds for both sides; each figure names the games it is counted over.

The numbers

  • Kick-off: · Championship · Deepdale
  • Head-to-head (last 6): Preston 2 · draws 2 · Middlesbrough 2 · 3.33 goals/game
  • Recent form: Preston 0W 1D 4L · Middlesbrough 2W 3D 0L

Preston v Middlesbrough (Championship): the key numbers are on this page — and TACTIX’s live, market-by-market track record is one click away (as of 30 July 2026). See the live track record →

Key stats

0.88 / 1.88
Goals
against 2.25 / 1.75 · 3 of the last 5 over 2.5
over 8 matches
5 / 5.88
Corners
against 5.75 / 4.75 · 3 of the last 5 over 9.5
over 8 matches
2.75 / 6.75
Shots on target
against 5.38 / 3.75 · 1 of the last 5 over 8.5
over 8 matches
2.38 / 1.38
Cards
against 1.38 / 1.5 · 3 of the last 5 over 3.5
over 8 matches

Per game, last 8 completed matches, to 17 October 2026. Over/under figures use standard thresholds, not bookmaker lines.

Per game, last 8 completed matches, to 17 October 2026. Bars: for (mint) against (amber), scaled to the larger figure in the row. Over/under figures use standard thresholds, not bookmaker lines.
Per gamePreston for / againstLineMiddlesbrough for / against
Goals scored
0.88 for · 2.25 against n 8
2.5standard
1.88 for · 1.75 against n 8
Corners won
5 for · 5.75 against n 8
9.5standard
5.88 for · 4.75 against n 8
Shots
12.25 for · 16 against n 8
19.5standard
19.5 for · 11.25 against n 8
Shots on target
2.75 for · 5.38 against n 8
8.5standard
6.75 for · 3.75 against n 8
Fouls committed
11 for · 9.5 against n 8
21.5standard
9.63 for · 9.5 against n 8
Cards shown
2.38 for · 1.38 against n 8
3.5standard
1.38 for · 1.5 against n 8
Preston
Preston — Discipline: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsFouls committed 1+2+Fouls won 1+2+Likely duel
S. Mills n 856.3
3.26/5
14/1
—
L. Lindsay n 877.8
1.75/3
1.45/4
—
L. Leroy n 877.3
1.76/4
1.56/3
—
L. Gibbs n 845.8
1.55/1
0.52/0
—
J. Kenny n 870.8
1.35/2
0.84/1
—
Preston — Shooting: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsShots 1+2+Shots on target 1+2+
J. Kenny n 870.8
3.57/6
1.35/3
B. Potts n 858.4
2.36/3
14/1
C. Lang n 860.6
2.25/4
0.93/2
Lucas Pasquoto n 832.3
2.12/2
0.31/0
J. Erabi n 836.5
1.84/1
0.92/1
Preston — Goalscoring: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsGoals 1+2+Assists 1+2+
B. Potts n 858.4
0.42/0
0.21/0
J. Kenny n 870.8
0.63/1
00/0
C. Lang n 860.6
0.62/1
00/0
S. Mills n 856.3
00/0
0.42/0
L. Lindsay n 877.8
0.31/1
00/0
Preston — Tackles: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsTackles 1+2+
Pol Valentín n 858
3.77/4
C. Wiley n 844.3
2.86/3
L. Leroy n 877.3
2.57/4
S. Mills n 856.3
2.26/3
A. Moran n 847.8
2.14/3
Preston — Goalkeeper saves: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 2+, lower cell 3+.
PlayerMinsSaves 2+3+
D. Iversen n 890
3.48/6
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough — Discipline: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsFouls committed 1+2+Fouls won 1+2+Likely duel
R. Pukštas n 863.1
3.47/7
1.85/3
—
Maximilian Arfsten n 838.3
2.15/1
0.62/0
—
Sebastian Berhalter n 855.5
24/3
1.45/1
—
M. Peart-Harris n 837.9
1.84/2
1.55/0
—
Leo Castledine n 844.5
1.34/1
12/1
—
Middlesbrough — Shooting: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsShots 1+2+Shots on target 1+2+
A. Cozier-Duberry n 872.9
3.48/5
1.75/4
W. Lankshear n 869.5
2.96/6
1.96/4
R. Pukštas n 863.1
2.56/3
1.45/2
Sebastian Berhalter n 855.5
2.25/3
1.24/2
K. Joseph n 837.4
2.15/1
1.23/1
Middlesbrough — Goalscoring: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsGoals 1+2+Assists 1+2+
J. Sarmiento n 840.8
0.62/0
0.31/0
A. Cozier-Duberry n 872.9
0.32/0
0.53/0
W. Lankshear n 869.5
0.85/0
00/0
Sebastian Berhalter n 855.5
0.42/0
0.42/0
T. Conway n 852.9
0.21/0
0.62/1
Middlesbrough — Tackles: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 1+, lower cell 2+.
PlayerMinsTackles 1+2+
A. Morris n 889.3
48/6
R. Pukštas n 863.1
2.75/4
Sebastian Berhalter n 855.5
2.65/3
C. Brittain n 890
2.47/4
J. Sarmiento n 840.8
2.25/3
Middlesbrough — Goalkeeper saves: per 90 minutes, each player’s last 8 appearances before kick-off, to 17 October 2026. Meter: one column per match, newest first; upper cell 2+, lower cell 3+.
PlayerMinsSaves 2+3+
S. Brynn n 893.8
2.56/3
R. Vítek n 890
2.46/2

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Form, head-to-head & standings

The numbers behind Preston v Middlesbrough — recent results, past meetings and where each side sits. (TACTIX’s model forecast is in the projections below.)

Recent form
PrestonLDLLL
Last 5: 0W 1D 4L · 0.6 scored / 2.4 conceded per game
MiddlesbroughDDWWD
Last 5: 2W 3D 0L · 2 scored / 1.6 conceded per game
Head-to-head last 6
Preston 2 · 2 draws · Middlesbrough 2 · 3.33 goals/game
  • 2026-01-24 Middlesbrough 4–0 Preston
  • 2025-09-13 Preston 2–2 Middlesbrough
  • 2025-01-25 Preston 2–1 Middlesbrough
  • 2024-09-14 Middlesbrough 1–1 Preston
  • 2024-02-14 Preston 2–1 Middlesbrough
  • 2023-11-28 Middlesbrough 4–0 Preston
League standing · 2026/27
Preston#24 pos4 pts11 pl-15 GD
Middlesbrough#3 pos22 pts11 pl+6 GD
Goals per game
Preston scored0.82
Middlesbrough scored2
Preston conceded2.18
Middlesbrough conceded1.45

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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record between Preston and Middlesbrough?
In their last 6 meetings, Preston won 2, Middlesbrough won 2 and there were 2 draws, averaging 3.33 goals per game.
What is the recent form of Preston and Middlesbrough?
Recent form — Preston 0W 1D 4L; Middlesbrough 2W 3D 0L.

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