• Middlesbrough have won their first four Championship matches

• Boro have kept three clean sheets in four league outings

• Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win

Replacing Michael Carrick with Rob Edwards appears to be doing the trick for Middlesbrough, who are setting the early pace in the Championship having won each of their first four fixtures.

There is plenty of substance to the form, too, as Boro have accounted for last season’s playoff finalists Sheffield United as well as Millwall and Norwich, two sides that have made no secret of their top-six ambitions.

Preston have made a respectable start to the Championship campaign, taking seven points from four games, but their unbeaten run came to an end in a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth prior to the international break.

Middlesbrough have scored seven goals while conceding only once and those solid defensive foundations could help them grind their way to maximum points again at Deepdale.

Team news

Preston are without the services of Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine and their forward options are weakened further by the absence of Milutin Osmajic.

The hosts will also have to manage without experienced quarter Brad Potts, Robbie Brady, Will Keane and Jordan Thompson while Daniel Jebbison is a doubt.

For Middlesbrough, first-choice goalkeeper Seny Dieng remains sidelined, so Solomon Brynn should continue to deputise, while Riley McGree and Alex Bangura are also out.

The latest Preston vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Middlesbrough have won their first four Championship matches, scoring seven goals and conceding only one, and they have netted first on each occasion.

Preston drew 12 of 23 home league games over the course of last season.

Both teams have scored in six of the last eight Championship meetings between Preston and Middlesbrough.

Three of Preston's four Championship games this season have had two goals or fewer.

Seven of Middlesbrough's 23 away matches in the Championship last season ended with four goals or more.

Preston have lost only two of their last eight meetings with Middlesbrough.

Prediction

Middlesbrough will be hoping that the international break doesn’t halt their momentum and they are fancied to make it five wins from five against Preston, who are looking light in forward areas without Devine and Osmajic.

Chances could be hard to come by for the hosts against a stubborn Boro outfit that have recorded three clean sheets in four outings, which includes shutting out the likes of Sheffield United and Millwall.

Edwards is getting the best out of Middlesbrough and they have the attacking talent in Tommy Conway, Morgan Whittaker and Hayden Hackney to unlock Preston’s defence and make it five wins from five.

Home wins over Leicester and Ipswich show Preston can’t be underestimated at Deepdale, but they may have played those opponents at the right time and, therefore, could be punching above their weight.

Back Middlesbrough to win at 27/20 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Preston vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet