Promotion chasing Preston North End taking on struggling Blackburn Rovers at Deepdale tonight in what should be a fiery derby ay at Deepdale.
Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston collapsed towards the end of last season but eventually survived on the final day before rebuilding over the summer to launch an unlikely promotion tilt in the second-tier.
A win tonight and they'd move level with Middlesbrough on 29 points with a better goal difference remember they've never previously played in the top-flight during the Premier League era.
Blackburn missed out on the top six and the Championship playoff places on the final day last year but off-field frustration always meant an inevitable decline. They had strung some results together last month before a 2-1 defeat at home to Derby County saw them remain firmly in the relegation battle.
Can Preston see off local rivals to move into the top two or will Blackburn return to form at Deepdale? AllSportsPeople brings you this betting preview complete with the latest tips and odds.
Preston vs. Blackburn Rovers prediction: Who will win today?
In typical Heckingbottom-led fashion, Preston have quite a reactive and defensive approach but with a sprinkling of quality in the final third from the likes of loanee duo Lewis Dobbin and Alfie Devine.
Blackburn make the short trip playing a direct style under the management of Valerien Ismael but Rovers do lack quality and depth, despite an improved run of form before the international break.
The likelihood is for a hard-fought low-scoring encounter but, with their home advantage, it would be no surprise to see Preston edge themselves to three points.
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Head-to-Head: Preston vs. Blackburn
- The most recent outing between these two storied Lancashire rivals saw Blackburn, then still coached by John Eustace, pinch a 2-1 win at Ewood Park in January.
- That victory, which saw Rovers into the top six, ended what was a five-match winless run of form for the former Premier League winners against North End.
- Overall, the two sides have clashed on 115 occasions with Blackburn coming out on top in 35 of those matches and Preston having he better of it with 47 wins.
Preston vs. Blackburn: Form Guide
Preston – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Millwall 1-1 Preston North End (Championship)
- Preston North End 2-1 Swansea City (Championship)
- Southampton 0-2 Preston North End (Championship)
- Preston North End 3-2 Sheffield United (Championship)
- Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City (Championship)
Blackburn – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Derby County (Championship)
- Bristol City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers (Championship)
- Leicester City 0-2 Blackburn Rovers (Championship)
- Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Southampton (Championship)
- Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Sheffield United (Championship)
Preston vs. Blackburn Score Prediction
Preston will go into the top two and the automatic promotion spots in the second division, for about 18 hours or so, if they beat Blackburn on Friday night. Rovers managed to exploit disjointed teams trying to play an expansive style but Preston aren’t that and a home win is a good shout.
Prediction: Preston 1-0 Blackburn (13/2 with Bet365)
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Preston vs. Blackburn Team News
Preston Team News
- Preston will be without controversial striker Milutin Osmajic, with the Montenegro international striker serving a suspension for an alleged racial comment made against Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri last season.
- They do also have quite a few injury issues as Osmajic’s fellow attacker Daniel Jebbison, on loan from AFC Bournemouth, is sidelined until next month.
- The likes of Andrija Vuckevic, Ali McCann, Lewis Gibson and Pol Valentin are close to a return but this week’s clash comes a little bit too early for them.
Blackburn Team News
- Blackburn’s key man Todd Cantwell, who has been essential this season, remains sidelined and is expected to return to full fitness in early December.
- They also remain without centre-back Scott Wharton, the brother of England international Adam, as well as Augustus Kargbo.
- Blackburn have returned to a 3-4-1-2 system with the visitors’ front two of Yuki Ohashi and Andri Gudjohnsen, the son of Eidur, having formed an effective partnership of late.
Preston vs. Blackburn lineups: Predicted starting XI's
This is how we think these two sides will lineup on Friday at Deepdale tonight.
Preston predicted lineup to play Blackburn
(3-5-2) Iversen (GK) — Storey, Lindsay, Hughes — Offiah, Thordarson, Whiteman, Armstrong, Lewis — Frokjaer-Jensen, Smith
Blackburn predicted lineup to play Preston
(3-4-1-2) Pears (GK) — Miller, McLoughlin, Hedges — Alebiosu, Henriksson, Gardner-Hickman, De Neve — Morishita – Ohashi, Gudjohnsen
Preston vs. Blackburn betting odds
- Preston to Win: 29/20 with SpreadEx
- Blackburn to Win: 2/1 with Paddy Power
- Draw: 11/5 with Ladbrokes
Championship Bet builder tips: Preston vs. Blackburn
Our bet builder for this one is for under 2.5 goals in the game but for Preston to win, Ben Whiteman and Axel Henriksson to be carded which comes to overall odds of 50/1 with Bet365.
How to watch Preston vs. Blackburn: TV and live stream
Here's all the key information on how to watch Preston vs. Blackburn at Deepdale tonight.
- Date: Friday, November 21
- Venue: Deepdale, Preston, England
- Time: 8:00 p.m.
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports / Sky Go