Preston North End Vs Burnley
Coca Cola Championship Saturday 22nd March 2008
Another early start for North End brings another local derby as Owen Coyle's Burnley visit Deepdale looking for revenge following the 3-2 deficit the endured at Turf Moor back in December. After earning a vital point at Bloomfield Road last week, Alan Irvine and his men will be hoping to stretch their unbeaten run to 5 games with the possibility of moving up to 14th place in the Championship. 54 points is the target set by the North End gaffer which means 3 points on Saturday would then see North End needing just another four more points to ensure safety. Burnley on the other hand could move into the Play-Off places should they grab all three points.
After a seven year absence from the Preston Vs Blackpool fixture, some fans see Burnley as Preston's main rivals in terms of local bragging rights. The animosity between the two sets of fans might explain the fiercely contested matches we have witnessed in recent times. Prime example of this is the aforementioned game at Turf Moor in December which saw Burnley reduced to 9 men after Chris McCann and Joey Gudjonsson were both red carded. Whatever the reason, make no mistake Saturday's game is set to be another big derby day for both clubs. The fact that both teams have it all to play for just adds extra spice to what already will be a hotly contested affair.
Previous Meetings
With Preston having already beaten Burnley this season, it is all set up for the possibility of North End doing the double of the Clarets for the first time in nearly ten years. Last season it was Preston who sent Burnley back home to East Lancashire without a point for their endeavours after a goal each from David Nugent and Patrick Agyemang gave Preston a 2-0 win. The reverse fixture at Turf Moor last season saw a dramatic 3-2 win for the Clarets, despite Preston being 2-1 up with just 8 minutes to go. A late own goal from Sean St Ledger and an Andy Gray last gasp strike ensured the bragging rights remained in Burnley.
Team News
One name which I simply must mention is Burnley skipper and Preston North End legend, Graham Alexander. Saturday sees his first visit to Deepdale since swapping the white of Preston for the Claret of Burnley. The man himself has admitted that it would be 'weird' to visit his old stomping ground, as a Burnley player after making 400 appearances for the club he once loved.
Preston have no fresh injury worries other than centre half Liam Chilvers. Richard Chaplow could feature to play against his former club for the first time in a Preston shirt.