Preston will welcome Blackburn to Deepdale for a Lancashire Derby on Friday.
The hosts return from the November international break in fourth spot in the Championship, while their visitors are 10 points worse off in 19th place.
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Preston vs Blackburn prediction: Can Preston crack the Championship's top two?
Key stats
- Preston boast the joint-most home points in the Championship this season, earning 17 from their first eight matches at Deepdale.
- Only two Championship teams have picked up more than Blackburn's 12 points away from home this season.
- Only the league's top two teams have suffered fewer than Preston's three defeats in 15 Championship matches.
Correct score prediction: Preston 2-1 Blackburn
With confidence growing under Paul Heckingbottom, we back Preston North End to continue their impressive run of form and strong home record after the international break and take all three points at Deepdale.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Preston slight favourites to win Lancashire Derby
- HOME: 6/4 (2.50) – 40.0%
- DRAW: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- AWAY: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, bookmakers do not see a clear favourite in Friday's contest, although the hosts are given a slight edge with a 40% chance.
A draw is seen as 32.3% likely, while a 34.8% chance is given to the visitors in a tight contest . Also, feel free to check out our Today’s betting tips page, as well as our Championship predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Blackburn aiming to go four derbies unbeaten
Blackburn won the previous meeting between the two Lancashire sides in January, making it three derbies without a defeat after two draws.
It is Preston with the edge in their 115 historic fixtures though, having won 47 while the visitors have prevailed in 35.
England Championship 31/01/25
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England Championship 22/09/24
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England Championship 17/02/24
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England Championship 10/11/23
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England Championship 22/04/23
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Preston preview: Long injury list continues
Preston should remain without Robbie Brady, Liam Gibson, Will Keane, Ali McCann, Brad Potts, Andrija Vukcevic and Pol Valentin through injuries, while Milutin Osmajic continues to serve an eight-match suspension.
Predicted lineup: Iversen (GK); Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Offiah, Devine, Whiteman, Armstrong, Small; Dobbin & Jebbison
Last five results:
- Millwall 1-1 Preston
- Preston 2-1 Swansea
- Southampton 0-2 Preston
- Preston 3-2 Sheffield United
- Preston 0-1 Birmingham
Blackburn preview: Cantwell, Toth sidelined
Blackburn are unable to call on key attacker Todd Cantwell, who is still in the treatment room alongside Jake Garrett, Augustus Kargbo, Scott Wharton and first-choice goalkeeper Balazs Toth.
Predicted lineup: Pears(GK); Miller, McLoughlin, Pickering; Alebiosu, Tronstad, Gardner-Hickman, Hedges; Morishita; Ohashi & Gudjohnsen
Last five results:
- Blackburn 1-2 Derby
- Bristol City 0-1 Blackburn
- Leicester 0-2 Blackburn
- Blackburn 2-1 Southampton
- Blackburn 1-3 Sheffield United
Player to watch: Yuki Ohashi
Yuki Ohashi will lead the Blackburn Rovers line with confidence on Friday, having scored in back-to-back Championship games heading into the international break.
That has taken the Japanese international's tally to four league goals for the season, after hitting nine in his debut Championship campaign last time around, and with key man Todd Cantwell remaining sidelined, attacking responsibility in the Blackburn ranks will continue to fall on Ohashi.