Blackpool Vs Preston North End
Coca-Cola Championship Sunday 16th November 2008 1pm Kick Off
Blackpool versus Preston is a game that needs no introduction to all that are connected with each club that is for sure. The fixtures between the two clubs are sure to be the first ones that both sets of fans look for when they are announced in June. Especially Preston fans who will of course be hoping their side will have the mindset of seeking revenge for the solitary point they took from the Seasiders last season. A 1-0 defeat at Deepdale and a draw at Bloomfield Road in March left the Lilywhites smarting and without a win over their most fiercest rivals in eight years.
Blackpool have won just twice at home all season and with Preston having a similar fortunes on the road, one record is surely going to have to give. The form guides do tend go out the window in these types of matches however; take last season's tie at Deepdale for example. Blackpool had won just twice in their previous thirteen matches before seeing off the Lilywhites after that penalty from Wes Hoolahan gave the visitors the win.
Previous Meetings
At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool have had the upper hand slightly in terms of wins with 17 as opposed to Preston's 15. In fact, North End have not won at Bloomfield Road since the 1992/1993 season when the Lilywhites edged out Blackpool 3-2 in a close encounter. Alan Irvine will be looking to put that unwanted record to an end come Sunday that's for certain. However in total, Preston have enjoyed more wins with 43 to Blackpool's 29.
Team News
Neil Mellor and Richard Chaplow's sterling contributions at the weekend could buy them both a place in the starting eleven. However, with both Neil Mellor and Stephen Elliott finding the back of the net in recent weeks, it poses some selection headaches for Irvine as to who he will pair alongside Chris Brown.
As for the home side, Simon Grayson will be hoping that striker Steve Kabba will be fit enough to start after he made a substitute appearance at the weekend whilst Stephen McPhee and Daniel Nardiello remain a doubt. Stephen Crainey and Jermaine Wright are both unlikely to feature also.