Preston v Derby preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football
Watch live on Sky Sports Football or Main Event from 12.30pm on Monday
Monday 2 April 2018 13:22, UK
Preston manager Alex Neil has no new injury worries for the clash with Derby, live on Sky Sports Football from 12.30pm on Monday, but may consider changes following the 4-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.
Neil claimed there were members of his team that produced "some of the poorest performances I've seen since I've been here" so he will assess his options.
Greg Cunningham, back on the bench against the Owls following a hamstring problem, Louis Moult and Daniel Johnson will all come into consideration. North End have won just two of their previous eight games at Deepdale.
Tom Huddlestone returns from suspension for a Derby side without a win in eight. The midfielder's dismissal against Nottingham Forest meant he was banned for the 4-1 loss to Sunderland on Friday night.
Boss Gary Rowett is likely to make changes in the wake of that heavy home loss, with Kasey Palmer, David Nugent and Joe Ledley all possible options to start. Marcus Olsson (back) and Sam Winnall (knee) remain absent.
Opta stats
Preston are winless in their last nine league matches against Derby (D3 L6), last defeating the Rams in December 2008.
Derby have won five of their last seven visits to Deepdale in all competitions (D1 L1), winning each of their last three.
Preston have lost their last three home Championship games played on Monday, conceding 10 goals across those games.
Live EFL
Gary Rowett has never lost against Alex Neil in three previous league meetings (W2 D1), seeing his sides keep clean sheets in each of those three games.
Derby are without a win in each of their last five away league games, although four have been draws (L1). The Rams have failed to score in three of those five matches.
Sean Maguire has scored in five of his last eight Championship appearances at Deepdale and is looking to net in three consecutive games for the first time for the Lilywhites on home soil.
Prutton's prediction
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Alex Neil deserves a lot of credit for the job he's done at Preston in picking up the mantle from Simon Grayson.
This is a great chance for them to beat another play-off rival and move a step closer to a shot at promotion, which not many thought was possible for them at the start of the campaign, and I'm backing them for a narrow home win.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 with Sean Maguire to score (22/1 with Sky Bet)
