Two of the Championship's early pacesetters meet at Deepdale on Saturday when Preston North End play host to Ipswich Town.

The visitors top the table going into this weekend's round of fixtures on seven points, while Preston are a few places behind on five.

Preston North End

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Preston have made an impressive start to life back in the second tier, drawing two and winning one of their opening three matches.

Simon Grayson's men missed the opportunity to go level on points with the sides at the very top in midweek, as they were held to a goalless draw by Rotherham United.

Both sides created numerous chances throughout the game at the New York Stadium, but a combination of wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping meant that they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The Lillywhites have acquitted themselves well so far, holding Middlesbrough to a goalless draw on the opening day before beating fellow promoted side MK Dons away from home.

Preston have been in formidable form at home, having last lost at Deepdale in November last year. Since that reversal against Bradford City, Grayson's men are unbeaten in their last 15 games on home soil.

Recent form: DWD

Ipswich Town

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Ipswich were tipped by many observers to be among the Championship playoff contenders before the season started, and they have already begun to show why.

Two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures puts them joint-top of the standings with Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, and they will be encouraged by their performances so far.

The Tractor Boys picked up their most notable result in midweek, as goals from Freddie Sears and David McGoldrick gave them a 2-0 win over relegated Burnley.

Ipswich fans had more to be pleased about soon after the final whistle, as the club confirmed that Sears had extended his contract until 2019.

Mick McCarthy will have been pleased to see his side keep a clean sheet, as Ipswich conceded three goals in their first two league outings. They are in good form in front of goal, having netted six times so far, and only Brentford can match that tally in the Championship.

Recent form: DWW

Team News

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Preston boss Grayson has no fresh injury concerns and could name the same side that drew at Rotherham.

The 45-year-old has this week praised the performances that Tom Clarke, Paul Huntington and Bailey Wright have produced in the heart of his favoured five-man defence, and it is expected that he will stick with it in a bid to stifle Ipswich's attacking threat.

Jermaine Beckford is still unavailable as he works his way back to full fitness.

For the visitors, Ryan Fraser is expected to be fit after shaking off a knock. The winger was forced off during Tuesday's win over Burnley with a jarred knee, but McCarthy is confident that he will feature at Deepdale. However, last season's top scorer Daryl Murphy might miss out with a calf problem.

Jonathan Parr has recovered from a thigh injury he sustained during pre-season, but this game might have come too soon for him.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Vermijl, Clarke, Huntington, Wright, Cunningham; Welsh, Johnson, Gallagher; Keane, Garner

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen; Skuse, Douglas, Fraser; McGoldrick, Sears, Pitman

Head To Head

Preston have enjoyed the better of meetings against Ipswich since the first back in 1954, winning 13, losing nine and drawing eight.

The sides have not met in the league since the 2010-11 season, when the Lillywhites prevailed 1-0 at Deepdale, before Ipswich won the return meeting 2-1 at Portman Road.

The last meeting between the two came in the FA Cup in January 2014, when Preston upset the odds by beating Ipswich 3-2.

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We say: Preston 1-1 Ipswich

Preston have been particularly tough to break down this season, so expect a tight clash in this one. Ipswich were impressive as they saw off Burnley and they will need to reproduce that level of performance if they want another win in Lancashire.

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