Preston North End Vs Blackpool Big Match Preview
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 13th February 2010 13:00 KO
The Preston versus Blackpool fixture will undoubtedly be the game that every North Ender looks for first when the fixture lists are announced in June. This year will have been no different especially with the Lilywhites looking for revenge for the last two visits from their seaside neighbours. Two 1-0 defeats have left a bad taste in the mouths of the Deepdale faithful who will be hoping that it is 3rd time lucky come Saturday afternoon.
Blackpool have been flying high this season way, above anyone's expectations. However, three defeats on the spin and one win in 6 has put the Seasiders in a predicament which could see North End leapfrog them in the table; a notion which Pool fans will have been dreading whilst North End fans yearning for.
Form
Preston North End Home Form: LDWWLW
Blackpool Away Form: WLWDDL
Overall
Preston North End: LWWLLW
Blackpool: DLWDLLL
This season's first encounter between these two old rivals came back in November when a Ross Wallace free-kick salvaged a draw for the Lilywhites. Billy Clarke had put Blackpool ahead inside the first minute.
Last season's trip to the Seaside was a much better one, though. Again, Blackpool took the lead but this time through Adam Hammill after just 10 minutes played. Preston came out of the traps for the second half with a real sense of purpose and had Pool pegged back within 10 minutes of the restart. Chris Brown netted his first of two with an excellently guided header before Neil Mellor had the Lilywhites ahead 13 minutes later with a header of his own. Brown rounded off the victory with a close-range tap in.
However, North End fans will not need reminding of the last time Blackpool were in town. Charlie Adam wrote himself into Seaside folk law when he netted for Pool just before half time with the game's only goal. The Lilywhites were unable to hit back and in the end succumbed to an embarrassing defeat.
Team News
For the Lilywhites, Richard Chaplow is sure to miss out meaning that Matt James is set to continue in midfield alongside Paul Coutts. Callum Davidson, meanwhile, has "got a chance" according to gaffer Darren Ferguson.
For the visitors, main man Charlie Adam will miss out through suspension after picking up his 5th booking during the defeat to Leicester. Former Lilywhite Brett Ormerod, however, is back in contention after serving his 3 match ban.