On the stock android browser (4.2.2), holding a link opens a context menu, within which you can choose to open it in a background tab. There's a settings option

On the stock android browser (4.2.2), holding a link opens a context menu, within which you can choose to open it in a background tab. There's a settings options to not switch to that tab yet (under Advanced). Also, a setting to preload links in the background (very appropriately under Bandwidth Management).