Middlesbrough just missed out on the play-offs in the Championship last season, but have made a slow start to their new campaign under new head coach Jonathan Woodgate.

Boro have lost their last two matches and will be hoping to return to winning ways at the Riverside Stadium this evening, but they face a tough game against in-form Preston North End.

Alex Neil's side are currently fifth in the Championship table and are unbeaten in their last six league matches.

Middlesbrough will feel they have a point to prove their fans, after they were thumped 4-1 by Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon - where they conceded four goals in the opening 34 minutes.

Here is the team that Middlesbrough fans will surely want to see against Preston tonight...

Darren Randolph keeps his place in goal and will be determined to keep a clean sheet after conceding four goals in the first half against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Marc Bola is likely to start at left-back, with Anfernee Dijksteel at right-back. Dael Fry keeps his place in the side at centre-back, but Daniel Ayala comes into the side in place of Ryan Shotton, who put in a poor performance against Sheffield Wednesday.

The other change for Middlesbrough is in midfield. The experienced Jonny Howson could potentially come into the side for his first start in four matches in place of Adam Clayton.

Clayton had an afternoon to forget against Sheffield Wednesday. He scored an own goal after just five minutes, but generally struggled to make an impact in midfield and was replaced at half-time.

Howson, has missed the last few matches for Boro through injury, but he returned to the bench on Saturday and should be fit enough to start tonight.

Lewis Wing keeps his place in midfield, as does Paddy McNair. McNair was one of a few Middlesbrough players who actually had a decent game at the weekend and he took his goal superbly well.

Marvin Johnson also had a decent game on Saturday - he starts on the right of the front three, with Ashley Fletcher on the left. Britt Assombalonga starts up front and will be hoping to make an impact, after a run of three games without a goal.

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