PRESTON NORTH END v MIDDLESBROUGH
Sunday 9th August 2015 – Kickoff: 1200hrs
Football – England – Championship Betting Tips
Midday on Sunday marks the return of Championship football at Deepdale as hosts Preston North End take on Middlesbrough in the last remaining match of this weekend in the English second tier.
Preston achieved promotion up to the Championship via the dreaded play-offs when they obliterated poor Swindon Town 4-0 at Wembley with striker Jermaine Beckford grabbing a memorable hat-trick. The strike partnership of Beckford and Joe Garner will be crucial to Preston’s success this term as they look to hold their own in the Championship.
However, Preston’s midfield looks a little light in experience at this level, and I daresay a couple of further signings in this department wouldn’t do them any harm as they gear up for a long season.
Visitors Middlesbrough will have to dust themselves off and put last season’s play-off final defeat to Norwich City behind them as they look to go one step better this time around in order to get back up to the coveted Premier League.
Middlesbrough lost 2-0 to the Canaries at Wembley, but canny Spanish manager Karanka has shown his tactical nous at this level already and I’m expecting him to make Middlesbrough a tough unit to break down both home and away again this season.
Stikers Kike and Fabbrini are expected to carry the bulk of the work up front, but Middlesbrough also possess a strong midfield consisting of seasoned professionals such as Leadbitter and Downing along with the flair of Adomah and Forshaw.
It may time a little time for Preston to settle in the Championship, so I’ll back the visitors Middlesbrough to grab at least a point at Deepdale this lunchtime. Could be a 1-0 win for Boro, but I advise the round ball.
Pick: Middlesbrough AH0 @ 1.73 bet365
