Bury Vs Preston North End Match Preview
npower League One Saturday 8th September 2012
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Gigg Lane
Referee: Darren Drysdale (click here for referee stats)
Betting Odds: Bury 2/1 Draw 9/4 Preston 11/8
Form:
Bury: LDLDL
Preston North End: DLDWWD
Sunday's league win over Swindon moved North End into the top half of the League One table, five points behind the early pace-setters Tranmere and Yeovil.
Bury on the other hand find themselves languishing in the lower reaches of the table, currently occupying one of the bottom four places having failed to pick up a single league win thus far.
The Gigg Lane-outfit couldn't have wished for a more difficult opponent for the next game in Graham Westley's side, a team brimming with confidence and team spirit - Tuesday's post match celebrations testament to that trail of thought.
With over 2,000 reportedly set for the away sections of Gigg Lane, North End will certainly have plenty of backing from the supporters in their bid to pick up their first away victory of the campaign.
Previous Meetings (click here for head-to-head stats)
Winger David Amoo knows all about North End's last trip to Gigg Lane having scored the winner for the opposition in a 1-0 win.
The former Liverpool man put Bury ahead after just 15 minutes with a goal that proved to be enough for the home side to secure all three points.
The return fixture didn't fill the North End faithful with too much glee either.
Despite Chuks Aneke, on loan from Arsenal, putting the Lilywhites ahead late into the second half, Bury snatched a draw thanks to a Lateef Elford Alliyu effort in stoppage team.
That result meant that supporters have to cast their minds back to 27th November 1999 for Preston's last win over Bury.
Mike Jackson, Sean Gregan and Jon Macken were on the scoresheet for North End in a 3-1 win, Ian Lawson did pull on back for 10 man Bury who saw Darren Bullock dismissed.
Team News
According to the rules of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Graham Westley is obliged to select at least six of those who started at Brunton Park on Tuesday to avoid a fine of upto £5000.
It is unclear at this point whether the former Stevenage gaffer is set to adhere to said rules.
Instead he could opt to keep his first 11 fresh and revert to a similar line up to that that beat Swindon over the Guild weekend.
Lee Holmes remains a doubt as does John Mousinho and Joel Byrom whilst Lee Trundle will definitely miss out.
For the Shakers, striker David Healy could face the club he attempted to engineer a move to in the summer.
The Northern Ireland international had been struggling with a thigh strain and sat out Bury's defeat to Notts County at the weekend.
Fellow striker Andy Bishop, whose goal drought dates back to Boxing Day, joined Wrexham on loan in a bid to improve his confidence and, thus, will not feature on Saturday.
Played For Both (click here)