Preston North End seek to continue their unbeaten start to the Championship season at home to Plymouth Argyle at Deepdale.
Victory would see Preston return to the summit of the table, whilst Plymouth can move as high as seventh depending upon results elsewhere.
Team News
Will Keane is a doubt for Preston after he returned from international duty with an adductor injury, which he suffered during Republic of Ireland’s loss to France.
Robbie Brady (calf) and Ben Whiteman (hernia) could return but Emil Riis Jakobsen (knee) and Ched Evans (neck) remain absent.
Liam Millar and Milutin Osmajic could be in contention for their debuts after joining on Deadline Day.
Plymouth manager, Steven Schumacher could hand Deadline Day signing, Mustapha Bundu his debut appearance for the club.
Michael Cooper remains absent as he nears a return from a serious knee injury, although he won’t be risked until he is match-fit after he resumed training this week.
When is Kick-Off?
Preston host Plymouth at Deepdale on Saturday 16 September in a 3pm BST kick-off, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Preston are unbeaten in five of their last six meetings against Plymouth (W2, D3, L1).
- Plymouth have claimed just three points from their last six visits to Preston (D3, L3).
- Preston have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home matches against Plymouth, only conceding in a 1-1 draw in February 2009.
- Alan Browne has been booked in each of Preston’s two league matches at home this season.
- No Plymouth player has been involved in more league goals this season than Ryan Hardie – having produced four goals and provided one assist in five appearances.
Prediction
Sat top of the table coming into this matchweek, Preston have definitely been an early surprise with their reinforced firepower which proved clinical last time out at Stoke in a game where they had little possession yet were the better team defensively and up front.
Plymouth meanwhile have adapted well to life back in the Championship and could of come here still unbeaten if they hadn’t conceded late goals at 1-1 in two games, yet they clearly aren’t a team to underestimate attack wise but their late defensive focus needs to be solid.
With that in mind, I do expect a strong battle here between two solid teams but with a forward crisis, Preston could do with Keane back now or I can see them doing a lot of defending which will be a tough ask against a dangerous Plymouth side who might well have the edge.
Prediction: Preston 0-1 Plymouth
Result: Preston 2-1 Plymouth