Albion take on The Lilywhites at Deepdale as the last Championship fixture of this game week on Monday night. The atmosphere and noise levels should be heightened, with Preston encouraging all of their home supporters to bring their scarves and flags for the night game to make "Deepdale a fortress".
Preston find themselves in 6th place after a recent dip in form that has seen them lose their last two games, most notably a heavy 4-0 defeat to mid-table Hull City. Prior to this, they had won 4 of their last 5 games, with a 1-1 draw against Leeds thrown in for good measure too. The hosts are also unbeaten in their last 11 home games.
I'd expect goals in Monday's game, with Preston scoring 2 goals or more in 10 of their last 11 Championship home games, and us scoring 2 or more in 5 of our last 6 games. Saying this however, Preston have failed to score in their last 2 games (both away) and rely heavily on set pieces, scoring more goals from these than any other team in the league (14).
Despite Preston's strong form, goalscoring and results, they have only registered one clean sheet since September and have conceded the 3rd highest number of goals in the top 10. They favour a 4-3-2-1 formation, but look prone to individual errors in their own half. I'd be confident in us at least getting on the score sheet on Monday night.
They were particularly weak from attacks down the wings in their last game against Hull, due to a number of injuries which forced manager Alex Neil to play midfielder Ryan Ledson at right back. Their full back Darnell Fisher is expected to be missing again on Monday, so I'd expect us to look to target them down the flanks. In their previous couple of games, Preston have also been caught playing very narrowly at the back, allowing attacking wingers space to run and get balls into the box.
Another potential defensive injury for Preston is centre back Ben Davies, who has been nearly ever-present this season and also missed the 4-0 defeat to Hull. The re-jigging of their defensive line has coincided with their recent dip in form, and should give us some confidence going into the game on Monday against them. The general consensus among Preston fans is that they will likely be competitive if their injured defenders make it back for the game, but are worried again if they aren't fit in time.
Like Bristol City in the previous game, Preston seem prone to over-committing players going forwards, and are often caught on the counter attack with limited numbers left at the back. They also operate a high defensive line, which both Hull and Derby took advantage of in recent games, creating a number of chances by utilising players running in behind the high defensive line.
Preston players to watch include Jamaican midfielder Daniel Johnson, who has 8 goals and 4 assists to his name already this season, as well as fellow midfielder/forward Barkhuizen, their second top scorer with 5 goals.
Preston's probable lineup (4-3-2-1):
GK: Declan Rudd - an ever present in goal this season, mixed reviews from Preston fans suggesting he is prone to errors and conceding the odd soft goal (sound familiar)
LB: Joseph Rafferty - the one fully fit full back
CB: Patrick Bauer - has had a decent season by all accounts
CB: Jordan Storey - the likely replacement for the injured Davies, hasn't featured much this season and is very much a backup centre back
RB: Ledson - the replacement for the injured Fisher against Hull, however Neale may look to try something different against us given how the Hull match went
DM: Ben Pearson - almost ever-present in holding midfield this season, he's their stopper and looks to win the ball back in midfield rather than getting forward
DM: Paul Gallagher - veteran midfielder, keeps the ball ticking over whilst also chipping in with 4 goals this season
CM: Daniel Johnson - probably the pick of the side, contributed to the most Preston goals this year, likely to be in the number 10 role
R/LCM: Sean Maguire - also contributes to Preston's attacking threat, has 3 goals and 2 assists this season, although hasn't scored since September
R/LCM: Tom Barkhuizen - may be deployed through the centre, Preston's second top scorer with 5 goals
ST: Jayden Stockley - one of two fit strikers for Preston, likely to be ahead of David "yes he's still going" Nugent in the pecking order with Loius Molt out injured. Hasn't featured much this year however.
Hull 4 - 0 Preston - Hull take full advantage of the weakened Preston Defence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC3Qul7bDMkDerby 1 - 0 Preston - Derby have plenty of chances on the break, but manage their breakthrough from a set piece:
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/preston-north-end/11868329/derby-1-0-prestonPreston 3 - 1 Huddersfield:
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/preston-north-end/11858310/preston-3-1-huddersfieldCharlton 0 - 1 Preston
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/preston-north-end/11853139/charlton-0-1-preston