Match Preview: Plymouth Argyle

Preston North End Vs Plymouth Argyle Match Preview

Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 12^th December 2009

After making it seven consecutive games without a win on Tuesday night against a team yet to win away from home this term, North End now look to Saturday’s clash with Plymouth Argyle to break the cycle. 

The Pilgrims make the long journey north to Lancashire on the back of three straight defeats, two of which came on the road. The managerless side are currently languishing in the bottom three after a dismal start to the campaign but will be hoping they can pile the misery on North End, a side who have failed to record a win since September.

A win for North End will considered as a must if they are to keep themselves within touching distance of the playoffs. Plymouth, however, need the points to lift them out of the bottom three.

Form

Preston Home Form: LDDDLD
Plymouth Away Form: WLLWLL

Previous Meetings

If Plymouth’s last visit to Deepdale is anything to go by then North End are in for another frustrating 90 minutes. Mackie put the visitors ahead inside the first quarter of an hour only to see Parkin peg the Pilgrims back just before the interval. North End then went all guns blazing in the second half in the search for a winner. Parkin would have doubled his tally right at the death if it wasn’t for Roman Larrieu in the Argyle goal who thwarted the Lilywhites all evening.

Rory Fallon got the only goal of the game when North End visited Home Park last October to see North End make the 300 mile trip back to Lancashire without even a single point for their efforts.

Last Six Visits to Deepdale

2008/2009	Tue 03 Feb	Preston N.E.	1 - 1	Plymouth Arg.	Championship
2007/2008	Sat 27 Oct	Preston N.E.	2 - 0	Plymouth Arg.	Championship
2006/2007	Sat 16 Dec	Preston N.E.	3 - 0	Plymouth Arg.	Championship
2005/2006	Sat 25 Mar	Preston N.E.	0 - 0	Plymouth Arg.	Championship
2004/2005	Tue 28 Sep	Preston N.E.	1 - 1	Plymouth Arg.	Championship
1997/1998	Sat 01 Nov	Preston N.E.	0 - 1	Plymouth Arg.	League Division Two

Team News

Defender Billy Jones limped out of the Derby game on Tuesday with an ankle problem and is therefore a doubt for Saturday’s clash with The Pilgrims. Jones was sent for an X-Ray on his ankle after the game which will be assessed before Saturday’s game. Eddie Nolan will be on standby in case the former Crewe man is unable to feature.

For the visitors, centre back Shane Lowry will miss the trip to Deepdale due to suspension. The Australian picked up his was dismissed from the defeat to Swansea in midweek after picking  up two yellow cards.

Pilgrims caretaker manager Paul Mariner will be sweating over the fitness of right-back David Gray who picked up a hamstring injury in the aforementioned defeat to Swansea. Meanwhile, former Preston loanee Yoann Folly could also be a doubt after taking a knock to the ankle in the same game.