Preston North End vs Plymouth Argyle predictions: Pilgrims can continue fine form
&w=707&quality=100)
- Three defeats in a row mean Preston are just three points above the relegation zone
- Plymouth Argyle remain bottom of the Championship and three points off safety
- Recommended bet: Plymouth or draw double chance
A chaotic Easter weekend of Championship football had huge implications on both Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle's seasons, but in extremely varied ways.
Preston went into the Easter weekend seven points above the relegation zone but, after a 2-1 defeat to QPR on Good Friday and a repeat scoreline at Hull on Easter Monday, they now find themselves just three points clear of safety.
Results below them have left them looking over their shoulder, while the opposite is true for Plymouth.
Rock-bottom Argyle looked nailed-on for the drop but Monday's shock 3-1 win over Coventry has given them a fighting chance, and they could very well follow up at Deepdale on Saturday.
Team news
Freddie Woodman, Ali McCann, Brad Potts, Will Keane, Sam Greenwood and Jack Whatmough make up a lengthy injury list for Preston.
There is hope that Ryan Ledson could make the bench for Saturday's match and he may be needed if the issue which saw Mads Frokjaer-Jensen hobble off at Hull turns out to be serious.
Matthew Sorinola and Brendan Galloway are Plymouth's only confirmed absentees.
Captain Joe Edwards is back from suspension and influential centre-back Maksym Talovierov, who has been out since March, is nearing his return and will be assessed.
The stats
- Plymouth have won three of their last five games
- Their victories in that run have come against Norwich, Sheffield United and Coventry
- Preston, meanwhile, have won just one of their last 11 matches, losing each of the last three
- Both teams scored in each of North End's last five matches
- The same option has also landed in four of Plymouth's last five games
- The reverse fixture saw the points shared in a 3-3 thriller
Prediction
&w=707&quality=100)
Plymouth boss Miron Muslic will have had this fixture marked in his calendar as a must-win for a while now but the thought Preston would be in the same boat would have never crossed North End manager Paul Heckingbottom's mind.
However, thanks to Preston's three straight losses and woeful form – only Norwich (6) have taken less points than the Lilywhites' seven across their last 10 Championship games – they are now in real danger of relegation.
North End may change their approach with that in mind and sit in for a draw against Plymouth, even if that causes plenty of groans from the Deepdale stands, and Argyle could be on hand to take advantage.
Muslic will motivate his players by reiterating that Preston have managed just one win in their last 11 matches and the Pilgrims should be in good spirits after beating play-off-bound duo Sheffield United and Coventry this month.
With out-of-form Preston playing with pressure and Plymouth showing promise in recent weeks, it could pay to back the visitors to earn at least a point at Deepdale, which, depending on results elsewhere, could give them a chance to stay up on the final day.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
