Sheffield Wednesday Vs Preston North End Match Preview
Npower League One Saturday 31st March 2012
Venue: Hillsborough
Kick Off: 12:45
Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Click here for referee stats)
Form:
Sheffield Wednesday: DWWWDW
Preston North End: DLWDDL
After Tuesday, in what can only be described as another 'Deepdale debacle', Preston North End fans won’t be blamed for fearing the worst heading into Saturday’s lunch-time clash with high-flying Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls are on a magnificent run of seven games unbeaten with five of those games ending in a victory for the South Yorkshire outfit, a far cry from the Lilywhites’ one win in six.
With that in mind, the travelling North End faithful will be simply hoping that their side don’t embarrass themselves in front of the Sky cameras and indeed the watching world.
The trip to Hillsborough is one of seven remaining games in a season that has seen North End's focus shift from promotion to survival.
With that in mind, the aim for Graham Westley and his men is simply to ensure of a League One next season, a stark contrast from the promotion aspirations laid down by former gaffer Phil Brown.
Over the last ten seasons it has taken an average of 50 points to stay up meaning, in theory, North End need just three more.
Previous Meetings (Click here for head-to-head statistics)
The Owls’ visit to Deepdale in December displayed the gulf of quality between the two sides with North End left reeling from a 2-0 defeat.
Danny Batth put the visitors in front with just four minutes on the clock before Ben Marshall doubled their advantage just before half time.
North End’s last trip to Hillsborough, however, resulted in a 2-1 win for what was then Alan Irvine’s team.
Goals from South Yorkshire-born pair Jon Parkin and Neil Mellor saw the Lilywhites win in the war of the roses clash on 20th October 2009.
Team News
Graham Westley has ruled out a return to Hillsborough for striker Neil Mellor.
The former Owls hit man suffered a flare-up of his knee problem following his 10-minute cameo during the draw to Bury last Saturday.
Centre-half Craig Morgan is nearing a first team return after coming through a reserve game unscathed but is not expected to travel to South Yorkshire.
For Wednesday Dave Jones has a near-full squad to chose from for Saturday's lunchtime clash.
The only absentee is Daniel Jones who is still recovering from a calf injury.
Played for Both, click here