Preston North End and Burnley are set to face off in a Lancashire derby at Deepdale on Tuesday, with both teams looking to return to winning ways with kickoff at 10 pm.
Preston North End have had an incredibly strange start to their season, having only scored two goals and conceded one across their first eight matches.
The Lilywhites became the third team in English history to keep seven successive clean sheets at the beginning of a season after their 1-0 win away to Coventry City. This is before finally seeing their rearguard broken in a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Birmingham City last time.
Ryan Lowe, who left Plymouth Argyle to succeed Frankie McAvoy last December, has made Preston an incredibly difficult side to break down. But equally will be hoping to get more from his offensive assets, having only managed to score twice.
Burnley have scored 14 goals in their eight matches, more than any other side in the Premier League.
Although they sold key players like Dwight McNeil, Maxwel Cornet and Wout Weghorst during the summer transfer window, manager Pep Guardiola has retained attacking stalwarts, Ashley Barnes and Jay Rodriguez.
The loan signing of Nathan Tella appears to be particularly shrewd, given the young forward’s immediate impact during his opening weeks at the club.
Preston North End vs Burnley Head to Head
Both sides have 16 games against each other, with hosts taking eight wins while visitors with six wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Preston 0-1 Birmingham City
- Coventry City 0-1 Preston
- Cardiff City 0-0 Preston
- Wolves 2-1 Preston
Away
- West Brom 1-1 Burnley
- Burnley 2-0 Millwall
- Wigan 1-5 Burnley
- Shrewsbury 0-1 Burnley
Preston Team News
Preston could be without four players due to injury on Tuesday, although the quartet is expected to be back after the international break. Lowe could restore Daniel Johnson to his midfield as he looks to get more offensive threat into the team, although Alistair McCann might drop out of the starting XI.
Burnley Team News
Burnley, meanwhile, will hope that Manchester City loanee Arijanet Muric has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered against West Brom. Should the goalkeeper fail to pass fit, Bailey Peacock-Farrell is on standby again. Kevin Long and Scott Twine will hope to return to the squad, having missed out with knocks last time.
Prediction and Odds
Preston and Blackburn look set to clash in a low-scoring Lancashire derby. The visitors will probably come out on top.
- Away Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Home
