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First game of the new year and decade its us against fast improving Boro side having won their last three games which has sent them up to the giddy heights of 16th. Pulled off a surprise victory at the Hawthorns on Sunday winning 2-0 their first away win of the season with Ayala and Fletcher scoing a worldie from about a mile out. They have been hit by injuries and suspensions recently so Woodgate has had to play youngsters.
In the 1 all draw at the Riverside we were not at our best although you could say that for a vast amount of our away games this season.
Danger man for Boro is Paddy McNair who should return to the side following suspension, also rate Tavernier who always seems to play against us and Ayala also tends to score against us.
Last season we drew 1 all at Deepdale as well as drawing 2 all in a league cup tie which Boro won on penalties.
Following the 2-0 home defeat on Sunday against Reading expect a few changes, wouldn't be surprised if Fisher and Bauer return after suspension and ilness, given the physicallity of the Boro centre backs Stockley coud play however need to be more on our game than we were in the first half on Sunday. One cautionary note we rarely beat Boro either at home or away time to rectify that.

Match Officials: Middlesbrough Home

This Wednesday we have a referee taking charge of his third game at Deepdale and also his third PNE match overall.

The match official for the first game of 2020, as we take on Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough, is John Brooks, now in his second season on the Select Group Two list of referees.

The Leicestershire ref was in charge of North End’s 3-2 home win over Millwall in December 2018 and the 3-1 home victory over Stoke City in front of the Sky Sports cameras back in August 2019.
His 18 games so far this season, including a trip to the Riverside, when they drew 1-1 with Millwall, have produced just 54 cautions and no red cards.
His last game prior to the New Year was Stoke City’s injury-time comeback home win over Sheffield Wednesday at the Bet365 Stadium.

He will be assisted by Mark Jones and Nick Greenhalgh, whilst the fourth official will be Thomas Parsons.