MansionBet Match Preview: Preston North End (H)

In partnership with MansionBet, here’s a preview ahead of our next fixture...

Just a point separates the two teams, who get set to meet again in the Championship a month after their last match up.

A questionable penalty decision won the game for the Lilywhites at Deepdale back in December, with Daniel Johnson converting from the spot. Despite an improved second-half display, City were unable to force an equaliser in a 1-0 defeat a week before Christmas.

City have won one and lost won since, with this being their first Championship fixture since December 29^th, following the double postponement of the Brentford match.

However, the Robins were successful in their first game of 2021 when they took on Portsmouth in the Emirates FA Cup, where Chris Martin’s memorable strike firing Dean Holden’s side into the fourth round.

As for Preston, their 1-0 victory over the Robins started a three-game clean sheet and winning streak as they went on to beat Derby County and Coventry, before starting the new year with defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Their FA Cup journey fell at the first hurdle too with Wycombe Wanderers running out 4-1 winners last weekend.

But Preston have become a notorious 'bogey' side with City's long run of games without victory over the Lilywhites having stretched to 15 after December's outcome. The Robins last beat Preston on February 5^th 2011 in a 4-0 win with Kalifa Cissé, now of the coaching staff, featuring in that game.

MATCH DETAILS 

Where: Ashton Gate
When: Saturday, January 16th, 3pm KO
Competition: Sky Bet Championship

Referee: Dean Whitestone
Assistants: Adam Crysell and Mark Pottage
Fourth official: Martin Woods