2024-25 FA Cup: Fifth Round – Preston vs Burnley

Preston North End meet Lancashire rivals, Burnley in an all-Championship tie in the fifth round in 2024-25 FA Cup. 

Victory would see Preston reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 1965-66 season, whilst Burnley look to secure a last-eight spot for the second time in three seasons.

 

Team News

Mads Frokjaer is a doubt for Preston after he missed their last two matches with a knock.

Ryan Porteous is cup-tied whilst Duane Holmes (fibula), Jordan Storey, Ben Whiteman (both ankle) and Jack Whatmough (calf) remain absent.

Burnley have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Mike Tresor (unspecified), Nathan Redmond (calf), Jordan Beyer and Aaron Ramsey (both knee) are still ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Preston host Burnley at Deepdale on Saturday 1 March at 12:15pm GMT, live on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Preston’s first-ever FA Cup tie against Burnley.
• Burnley have won three of six visits to Preston in all domestic cup competitions (W3, L3).
• Including penalty shootouts, Preston have lost one of their last seven home ties in the FA Cup (W5, D1, L1).
• None of Burnley’s four FA Cup goals this season came before half time.

 

Prediction

With Championship play-offs now unlikely and having grinded out a goalless draw in their league meeting at home to Burnley two weeks ago, Preston must view this tie as a free hit because this is a chance for them to go on a rare deep cup run if they can defend better than they did at Coventry last weekend.

Burnley though are riding high after a dominantly clinical mauling of Sheffield Wednesday despite otherwise being second-best in attacking stats, but I do expect Scott Parker to rotate his squad as promotion is the Clarets’ main priority although they need to be much sharper than they were in the league encounter.

Throw in local pride and Burnley’s see-saw away form at Deepdale in other domestic cup competitions and this could well be a grinder of an afternoon for fans, but I do fancy the Clarets to see this through if can be more clinical.

Prediction: Preston 1-2 Burnley

Result: Preston 3-0 Burnley