Match Report
20 points separated the sides: Middlesbrough 5th on 80, Preston North End 14th on 60. The last five rounds placed Middlesbrough no better than 9th for form, against 5th in the standings. In league terms the two rates read 1.57/1.02 for Middlesbrough and 1.2/1.35 for Preston North End (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.3.
Defeat had followed defeat for Preston North End — three in succession.
GioScore's database holds 26 meetings between the two: 10 for Middlesbrough, 7 for Preston North End and 9 drawn, at 2.88 goals per meeting. The host's record in this fixture is thin — 42% of meetings won. Expect goals on precedent — three or more in 62% of the meetings, and both sides scored in 65%.
The venue was Riverside Stadium, with room for 34,988 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Middlesbrough led 3-0 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 4-0.
Goal scorers
Middlesbrough: Alan Browne (9'), Tommy Conway (28'), Morgan Whittaker (42'), Tommy Conway (54')
Key stats
Possession: Middlesbrough 67% · Preston North End 33% · Total shots: 16-4 · On target: 8-1 · Corners: 8-3