BIG away followings are par for the course as far as Middlesbrough are concerned at Deepdale.

Given the evidence of recent seasons, so is the sight of their supporters heading back to Teesside with a feeling of disappointment following defeats.

Despite the game being an early kick-off and picked out for live coverage on TV, it has not stopped Boro from selling out a full 5,600 allocation in the Bill Shankly End.

Many will have been there on the final day of 2021-22, when Boro's outside chance of gatecrashing the play-offs quickly disappeared in a hefty 4-1 final-day loss in Preston.

Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards during the Sky Bet Championship match against Sheffield United at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards during the Sky Bet Championship match against Sheffield United at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

A big following of 5,100 saw the visitors concede in comical fashion en route to a 2-1 setback on Boro's last visit to this part of Lancashire in January, while a support of just under 3,000 witnessed Michael Carrick's opening game in charge also end in defeat in the autumn of 2022.

Rob Edwards in now in the away dug-out and not Carrick, with Edwards also keen to avoid to perils of the manager of the month curse after scooping the award for August on the back of an unblemished 100 per start for early leaders Boro.

A fifth win would see the current Boro line-up become the first side in the club’s 149-year history to start the season with five consecutive league victories.

Boro face a stiff test and not just because of history with Paul Heckingbottom's North End having already beaten relegated sides Leicester City and Ipswich Town at Deepdale this term.

PRESTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Paul Heckingbottom, Manager of Preston North End, looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Preston North End and Wrexham at Deepdale on August 26, 2025 in Preston, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

A sickness bug in the build-up has certainly not been what Edwards would have ordered beforehand either. Edwards said: “We've had a couple back (Seny Dieng and Alex Bangura) but we've had a little bit of a sickness bug in the camp, which hopefully hasn't disrupted things massively. We're dealing with that, so we'll see, but we're in a good spot.”