Preston North End Vs Sheffield United Match Preview
npower League One Saturday 20th October 2012
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Deepdale
Referee: Christopher Sarginson
Betting Odds: Preston North End 13/8 Draw 2/1 Sheffield United 13/8
Form: Preston North End LWWLWD Sheffield United WDWWDW
After a stalemate with fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons on Sunday, North End welcome another team vying for a place in the Championship in the form of the Blades at the weekend.
In what should be North Ends biggest game of the season, certainly at home, the Lilywhites are going to have to be razor sharp if they are to blunt the Blades, a side that are currently unbeaten in all competitions thus far this campaign.
Sheffield United make the trip across the Pennines on the back of a rampant 4-1 in the JPT on Wednesday, making light work of Notts County.
North End, on the other hand, are without a league victory in nearly three weeks but can take solace in being unbeaten at home in the league in their last three.
Previous Meetings (click here for head-to-head stats)
The Blades' last visit to Deepdale was, ironically, almost exactly a year ago.
On 19th October 2011 North End fell to a 4-2 defeat to Micky Adams' side in a game which saw an on loan Blackpool star and a former Lilywhite net braces apiece; Matt Phillips and Lee Williamson respectively, adding insult to injury.
Clarke Carlisle and Iain Hume were on target for North End.
The Blades completed the double of Preston last season thanks to a 2-1 win back in February.
Goals from the now jailed Ched Evans either side of a Graham Cummins header for the Lilwhites was enough to seal all three points for the South Yorkshire outfit.
In truth, Preston's record over the Blades in recent years hasn't left the Deepdale faithful with much to shout about.
In fact, the Liywhites have just two wins over their Yorkshire counterparts in the last 10 outings.
The most recent was a 3-1 win at Deepdale at the tail end of the 2010/2011 season with goals from Keith Treacy (2) and Nathan Ellington.
Team News
North End are without any fresh injury concerns meaning their only long term absentees remain at Lee Holmes and Lee Trundle.
However, Chris Robertson's first league appearance of the season on Sunday means that the former Torquay man will be gunning for a place in Preston's starting XI.
Paul Huntington could make way whilst Bailey Wright is set to keep his place following an impressive run of form.
For the Blades, a trio of former North Enders could feature following Paul Gallagher's loan extension, rejoining up with the likes of Matt Hill and Neil Collins.