Preston North End and Coventry City square off in the Championship on Tuesday evening looking for the win which will boost their bid to make the playoffs.
The two teams currently occupy 12th and 11th spot in the standings, possessing a game in hand on five of the seven teams immediately above them.
Match preview
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Between December and February, it is fair to say that Coventry were one of the worst performing sides in the Championship, accumulating just nine points from as many matches to drop out of playoff contention.
However, since a hard-fought defeat at West Bromwich Albion, the Sky Blues have collected 10 points from a possible 12, including posting three wins in succession.
Millwall, Rotherham United and Sunderland have all been defeated for the loss of just one goal, that strike coming in the closing minutes versus the Black Cats at the weekend.
Four of the last five goals have been netted in the second half, and Mark Robins will be particularly delighted with Viktor Gyokeres netting in his last three appearances.
While Coventry remain within five points of the top six, they can ill-afford any slip-ups as they continue to build momentum ahead of the run-in.
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The same applies to Preston who have failed to record consecutive victories since before the World Cup break, leaving the club very much in mid-table.
Nevertheless, ending a four-match streak without success with victory over Wigan Athletic at the weekend has kept Ryan Lowe's side in the conversation for promotion.
After coming from behind to overcome the improving Latics, Preston are now three matches unbeaten, and a win on Tuesday would leave them one point adrift of ninth-placed Sunderland.
Although Preston prevailed at Deepdale at the weekend, it represented just their fourth home success in 17 outings in the second tier during 2022-23, and they have returned just a point per game on familiar territory.
Team News
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While Preston will have to make do without the suspended Robbie Brady, the versatile Irishman collected two bookings versus Wigan after being introduced as a substitute.
However, Ben Whiteman and Ched Evans are both in a position to return after serving bans of their own, with the former most likely to be recalled in midfield.
Patrick Bauer may replace Greg Cunningham in the back three after the Preston skipper from the weekend needed to be withdrawn late on through injury.
Coventry will be forced into at least one change with Kasey Palmer having sustained a muscle injury at the weekend.
Although Josh Wilson-Esbrand was introduced on that occasion, Matt Godden may be recalled in what could be the only alteration.
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Diaby, Lindsay, Bauer; Potts, Whiteman, Johnson, Fernandez; Browne; Parrott, Cannon
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Norton-Cuffy, Hamer, Eccles, Bidwell; Allen; Gyokeres, Godden
We say: Preston North End 1-2 Coventry City
Both teams will feel confident of continuing their respective encouraging form when they take to the pitch at Deepdale. However, as a result of Coventry's winning streak and Preston's poor efforts at Deepdale, we are backing the visitors to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
