Sports Mole previews Saturday’s championship clash between Preston North End and Millwall, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Two teams with dreams of making an unlikely playoff charge meet in Deepdale on Saturday when North end of Preston host Gary Rowett‘s mill wall in the Championship.
Preston are on an impressive three-game winning streak heading into the final weekend before the World Cup break, while the Lions have failed to take maximum points in any of their last three games in the second tier.
match preview
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striker preston Ched Evans arrived at the Select Car Leasing Stadium to face Reading last Friday without scoring in more than 30 Championship games, and made an unusual start alongside Emil Riis Jakobsen by manager Ryan Lowe.
By the time the final whistle had blown, Evans had deftly dispatched two second-half goals and handed his side a fifth away win of the campaign, ending their personal goal drought in a way that delighted supporters. Travelers of the Lilywhites.
That victory over Reading means that Lowe’s men have now won four of their last five games in the Championship, although a tough loss to bitter rivals Blackpool in that spell will not be easily forgotten despite strong results sandwiching such a display. Disappointing on Bloomfield Road.
Five of Preston’s eight league wins so far this campaign have come on their travels, and the Lilywhites own the best away record in the division, having collected 18 points from their 10 games away from Deepdale.
Lowe’s team also have the best defense in the Championship to date with just 16 goals conceded in 20 games, a record that was helped significantly by Preston participating in four 0-0 draws in their first five games of the season.
Sitting out of the playoffs on goal difference heading into this weekend, it would be a real achievement for a club that has experienced its fair share of mid-table mediocrity in recent seasons to reach the World Cup break. among the top six.
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During a four-game winning run in October, Millwall scored nine goals and head coach Rowett managed expectations among supporters with dreams of a promotion push spreading through The Den.
The former Birmingham City boss was probably expecting a drop in form to come soon and it has, as his side have only taken two points from their last three championship games and failed to score in any of those clashes.
Millwall was the victim of a bizarre long-range strike from the Huddersfield Town defender Yūta Nakayama in a narrow loss at John Smith’s Stadium, and have followed that result with consecutive goalless draws with Birmingham and Hull City in a run that has pundits and supporters questioning whether Rowett’s men have the firepower to contend for the promotion.
What hasn’t changed despite a drop in results recently is the difficulty of the challenge facing teams visiting The Den, with Millwall winning 22 points at their intimidating home so far this season – a tally that only Blackburn Rovers can improve in Ewood Park.
The Londoners will have to do business away from home if they want to get through to the playoffs before the World Cup break, and Saturday’s assignment at Deepdale will likely be a physical and cautious affair.
Preston North End Championship Form:
Millwall Championship Form:
team news
Preston will have to do without the midfielder Ben Whiteman who suffered a thigh injury in his final home game against Swansea City, hoping to return to action after the World Cup break.
ireland international troy parrot remains out of Lowe’s squad with a hamstring injury sustained during their 3-2 win at Carrow Road against Norwich City last month, meaning Evans will lead Preston’s attack once again with Jakobsen.
millwall striker benik afobe is ruled out until after the World Cup with a knee injury sustained in the Huddersfield defeat, which means players like tom bradshaw Y tian flemming will be tasked with blasting the visitors to victory on Saturday.
Better news for Rowett is that defender murray wallace He will return to the squad for the day after serving a one-match ban for receiving his fifth booking of the season in the tie with Birmingham.
Potential Preston North End starting lineup:
woodcutter; Lindsay, Storey, Hughes; Potts, Browne, Ledson, Brady, Johnson; Evans, Jacobsen
Possible Millwall starting line-up:
Length; McNamara, Cresswell, Cooper, Malone; Mitchell, Saville, Honeyman, Flemming, Burey; bradshaw
We say: Preston North End 1-0 Millwall
This game is a chance for two teams who weren’t interested in promotion boosts this season to head into the World Cup break inside the top six of the Championship.
Preston have been in fine form of late and considering the Lilywhites’ defensive record, it could be three points and a clean sheet for the hosts against a Millwall side struggling to pose an attacking threat on the road.
For data analysis of the most probable results, scores and more for this match, click here.
Better advice
Our expert prediction partners at Sporita.com predict more than 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they’re predicting for this game and for more of their tried and tested soccer tips.More than 1.5:data