Harrogate Town will take on Preston North End at the CNG Stadium on Tuesday evening in the second round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts defeated Lincoln City 2-1 in the first round of this competition, while the visitors beat Sunderland 2-0 in their first-round tie.
Match preview
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Harrogate extended their stay in League Two for a fifth successive year with a 13th-placed finish last year, their best finish since earning promotion into the division as National League playoff champions in 2019-20.
They have consistently avoided a relegation battle in the fourth division, finishing 17th in their first season and securing back-to-back 19th-place finishes in the following years, with their closest brush with relegation still seeing them clear the drop zone by nine points.
Since taking charge in May 2009, initially as a player-manager and later as the permanent manager, Simon Weaver has done a remarkable job, leading the side to two promotions from the National League North and National League, securing their place in the English Football League for the first time in Harrogate's history.
Weaver's side looked on course for a fantastic playoff finish in League Two last year, placing seventh on matchday 37, but a poor end to the campaign saw Harrogate win just three of their last 13 games, resulting in them falling to 13th.
That dismal form continued throughout pre-season, losing four and drawing two of their six pre-season friendlies, but Harrogate have been able to improve since the beginning of the term.
Harrogate suffered a 2-0 loss to newly-promoted Bromley in the opening game, but have since gone unbeaten in three matches across all competitions, including a 2-1 victory in the first round of the EFL Cup.
Weaver will be aiming to maintain that positive momentum with a third victory in four games on Tuesday, but Preston will prove to be their toughest challenge of the season so far.
The visitors secured their 10th consecutive season in the English second division with a 10th-place standing in 2023-24, marking continued improvement for Preston after 13th, 13th, and 12th-placed finishes in the prior campaigns.
Since their promotion to the Championship as League One playoff champions in 2014-15, Preston have successfully avoided relegation battles but have also fallen short of qualifying for the playoffs and a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
They looked to be in the fight for a playoff place towards the end of the last term but five defeats in their last five games, with an aggregate score of 11-0, consigned Preston to 10th.
Ryan Lowe, who had been in charge since December 2021, remained as manager going into the new season but left the club by mutual consent following an opening-day defeat to Sheffield United.
Mike Marsh stepped in as interim manager for the next two matches, beating Sunderland in the EFL Cup first round and losing to Swansea in the Championship, before Paul Heckinbottom was appointed as the new boss, winning his first game 1-0 against Luton Town.
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Team News
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Harrogate will have a fully fit squad available to choose from when they host Championship opponents at the CNG Stadium on Tuesday, and Weaver could opt to name the same side that has featured in recent matches.
Sam Folarin has netted in each of his last three appearances, including one in the first round of the EFL Cup, and the forward is likely to start alongside James Daly in attack.
As for the visitors, Alistair McCann has been out of the side since April with a thigh injury and is not expected to return in time for this one, though he should be back available in the coming weeks.
After winning 1-0 against Luton in his first game in charge, Heckingbottom could name a similar side against Harrogate as he looks to continue his 100% record as Preston manager.
Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Sims, O'Connor, Foulds; Asare, Burrel, M Daly, Sutton, Taylor; J Daly, Folarin
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Thodarson, Frokjaer-Jensen, Kesler-Hayden; Keane, Jacobsen
We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Preston North End
Preston will be the favourites heading into this match, given they compete two divisions above their hosts, but with the team still adjusting under their new boss, we expect a fairly tight game with the visitors ultimately securing the win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
