Preston v Wigan preview
Thursday 4 October 2018 19:01, UK
Preston's Brandon Barker should be available to face Wigan after missing the 3-3 draw at Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The on-loan Manchester City winger was struck down with illness, but Alex Neil is keen to get him straight back in the side following his recent good form. Darnell Fisher is a doubt for the match after hobbling off in the second half at Villa Park.
Sean Maguire could feature in the squad after returning to training, but Josh Harrop and Billy Bodin are long-term absentees - both suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Wigan's Will Grigg is pushing for a starting place on Saturday after returning as a substitute in their last two matches. The Northern Ireland striker had been sidelined by minor fitness issues, but having managed more than 35 minutes on Tuesday he could start at Preston.
Callum McManaman is another who featured off the bench against the Swans and he will hope to make his first Championship start since August 11. Dan Burn is also close to a return after missing the entire season so far.
Opta stats
Preston and Wigan last met in league competition in the Championship in 2016-17 - those two meetings saw just one goal scored, a 1-0 win for Preston at Deepdale.
Wigan's last league win at Deepdale came in 2003-04, when they won 4-2 under manager Paul Jewell.
Preston have gone 10 games without a win in the Championship (D3 L7) - they last endured a longer winless run in league competition back in March 2011 (14 games).
Wigan have lost eight of their last nine away games in the Championship, winning only at Stoke back in August (3-0).
Preston have conceded exactly three goals in each of their last five league games.
Wigan boss Paul Cook has lost his last three managerial meetings Preston, including two legs of the 2014-15 League One play-offs with Chesterfield.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 0-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
