Cardiff City Vs Preston North End
Saturday 6th December 2008 3pm Kick Off
Despite the euphoria and anticipation surrounding the Lilywhites' FA Cup 3rd Round draw with Premier League giants Liverpool this week, attentions will be firmly focused on the forthcoming trip to the Welsh capital.
Preston are beginning to show the sort of form that they kicked off the season with after five straight games without a defeat. Crucial away points picked up at Carrow Road and Pride Park along with home wins against the likes of Barnsley and Bristol City, not to mention that famous win over Blackpool, has sent Preston up to sixth place. A win on Saturday could see the Lilywhites up to 3rd and breathing down the necks of those occupying the automatic promotion spots.
Things however haven't been quite so rosy for Cardiff City who went through the whole month of November with just one win. Despite the one solitary win, the Blue Birds have still managed to keep a respectable league position - just one place and point behind Preston. Accordingly, Alan Irvine will be hoping that Cardiff's misfortunes spill into December momentarily and Preston further extend their unbeaten run to six matches, putting daylight between the two clubs.
Previous Meetings
Last season's trip to South Wales resulted in a 2-2 draw with Callum Davidson netting both goals in emphatic fashion whilst Robbie Fowler netted a brace of his own for Cardiff. The last time these two sides met, almost exactly one year ago, it looked as though it was going to be Preston's day. Simon Whaley fired the Lilywhites into an early lead but goals from Roger Johnson and Joe Ledley dented any hopes of that, sending the visitors back to Wales with all three points.
Team News
Midfielder Stephen McPhail will be eligible to play for Cardiff on Saturday as his suspension does not take effect until after Saturday's game whilst Stephen Elliott could move into the starting eleven for Preston. The former Sunderland striker stepped off the bench to net the opening goal against Bristol City last Saturday after injury prematurely ended Neil Mellor's evening.