Bristol City vs Preston preview
Friday 9 November 2018 11:23, UK
Hakeeb Adelakun could make a return to the Bristol City squad for the Sky Bet Championship match against Preston, although he is unlikely to feature in the starting line-up after recovering from ankle surgery.
Centre-back Nathan Baker returned to the bench for the game against Reading and could be pushing for a start against North End.
After sustaining an injury in training before the Royals game, defender Jack Hunt has returned to training and could be available. Bailey Wright and Frankie Fielding remain sidelined for City while Callum O'Dowda has been ill but could feature.
Preston will have a change of goalkeeper following Chris Maxwell's one-match ban after he received the first red card of his career against Ipswich. Maxwell could be replaced between the posts by either Declan Rudd or Michael Crowe, but it is expected to be the former.
Left-back Andrew Hughes will have his fitness assessed after missing the match against Ipswich through injury, and could feature against City. Billy Bodin and Josh Harrop remain out with long-term injuries, while Paul Gallagher, Lukas Nmecha and Darnell Fisher will be pushing for places in the starting line-up.
Opta stats
Bristol City have lost their last five league matches against Preston, conceding at least twice in every game.
Preston are unbeaten in six league visits to Ashton Gate against Bristol City (W4 D2) since a Robins side managed by Gary Johnson won 4-2 in January 2010.
Bristol City have lost each of their last two Championship matches, last losing three in a row in January.
Preston North End are yet to record a victory or a clean sheet on the road in the league so far in this campaign, picking up just three points (D3 L5) and conceding 16 goals.
In the Football League, Bristol City's Lee Johnson has managed nine games against Preston - he's lost eight of those and drew the other in March 2015 as Barnsley manager.
No player has been directly involved in more goals as a substitute in the Championship this season than Preston's Paul Gallagher (3 goals, 1 assist) - netting the equaliser last time out against Ipswich.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
