Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Preston North End
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 10th January 2009 3pm Kick-off
After falling short against the Premier League's top team in their last outing, Alan Irvine will be hoping that lightening doesn't strike twice when his side go head-to-head with the Championship leaders, Wolves. Likewise with North End, Wolves are unbeaten after their two last league games with the only difference being that the midlands club are also without a win during those two games having recorded two draws.
After losing just four league games so far this season, Wolves are currently lying seven points clear at the top of the Championship. One man in particular who will be enjoying such form is Matthew Hill. Hill joined Wolves from North End on the last day of the August transfer window seeing Stephen Elliott go the other way. The former Bristol City defender has had his appearances limited due to injury so has only managed to conjure up four starts.
Previous Meetings
Back in September, when Wolves visited Deepdale, Preston were on a run of seven league games without a defeat. Unfortunately, Preston were unable to continue that run thanks to a rampant Wolves side spearheaded by an inform Chris Iwelumo in attack. The Scottish International scored a hat-trick before getting himself dismissed in a 3-1 win before a 95th minute Neil Mellor penalty pulled one back for Preston but was merely scant consolation.
Wolves' visit to Deepdale last season, however, was a different story. North End emerged as winners thanks to a Callum Davidson penalty on 60 minutes and Simon Whaley strike nine minutes from time to reverse the 1-0 deficit from an Andy Keogh goal. Early that season, shortly after Alan Irvine took over as manager, Preston fell to a 1-0 defeat at Molineux thanks to a Karl Henry goal after 55 minutes.
Team News
With no new injury concerns for gaffer Alan Irvine, the same team that gallantly lost to Liverpool on Saturday is widely expected to feature at Molineux. Ross Wallace has been the topic of much conjecture surrounding his loan deal but with nothing concrete to suggest otherwise, he is expected to continue on the left for North End.
Wolves will of course be without Michael Macienne who has been recalled by Chelsea following his loan spell at the midlands club. Despite being substituted during the 2-2 draw away at Blackpool, Matthew Hill is in line to make his first appearance against Preston since his move to Wolves in August.