Official Match Thread: Preston North End vs Burnley

I think we are all familiar with the History of Burnley, so I am not going there. However, this will be our first visit to Turf Moor since 2015, and I think my last away Match. Sadly, getting too old for them these days. You can replace the Hips and Knees but not the aches and pains!

Manager Ryan Lowe confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Ben Whiteman and Troy Parrott - who both missed the previous fixture through injury - are back in training. Emil Riis and Lewis Leigh remain the only absentees, with the rest of the squad available for selection for Saturday's Lancashire derby.

Burnley head into the weekend’s game in a rich vein of form, having won each of their last nine Championship fixtures, and 13 of their last 14.Having lost just twice all campaign, Vincent Kompany’s men are comfortable leaders of the division, with a seven-point gap between themselves and second place, and a 17-point cushion to third. Faced with these facts the game does not look encouraging for North End Supporters. However, I was there when we won with a Penalty Kick &, if Everton beat Arsenal, then we can beat Burnley on the day. In fact, if RL goes back to his Tactics of early Season, we can get them on the Counter and win 1-0. We can only dream! The facts prove that we have won 53, lost 52 and drawn 27, so anything can happen.

I have to say that, at the start of the Season, I thought that they would struggle with a new Squad but Vincent Company has done an excellent job with his young team & there is a Moroccan, Anass Zaroury , who is creating a stir & represented Morocco at the World Cup. The Bookies are quoting 11/20 Burnley to win & a 72% chance for that at 2-0, Draw 16/5, and PNE to win 31/5 – looking very bleak then.

So how is RL going to set up his team for this game? I think that there can be little doubt that he will play 3 at the back & that 3 picks itself. I don't believe that we can play 2 young Strikers with Evans, who deserves his place on recent performances. If we are going to pose a threat going forwards then we need DJ behind 2 Strikers but he does not enjoy the Manager's confidence just now and RL may settle for a Defensive MF to bolster MF. Browne & Brady, against his old team would be my choice for Wbs, together with Whiteman/McCann/Ledson in MF. Upfront with Evans, I have no preference but Delap has more experience but possibly Parrot – but he has shown no ability to score Goals so far. What do I know though.

Prediction 2-1 to Burnley, but those of you in the Pebble League will recognise that my Predictions are not very good! Have a great day those supporters travelling to Turf Moor & cheer on the Lillywhites for me, we may get a Result.