Manager Paul Simpson who spent part of his career at City will be looking for a result against the Premiership side who have struggled away from home.
The boss will be looking for a much improved performance in front of a watching television audience after last week's home to defeat to Wolves was described by Simpson as the worst under his reign so far.
There are definitely going to be two enforced changes firstly at centre back as Kelvin Wilson is suspended after last week's red card. It will be most likely a straight swap with St Ledger joining up again with chilvers in the powerful central defensive partnership with Alexander and Hill at full back.
There may well be changes ahead with Simpson playing a 4-3-3 formation recently. This may change with frontman Ormerod out with a fractured cheekbone. He has several options at his disposal. If he wishes to keep the same formation, Dichio or Mellor could play alongside Nugent with Ricketts just behind.
The more favoured option is switching back to 4-4-2 with Ricketts going straight up top. If this is the case then Pugh will move out left with either Whaley or Sedgewick out right. The centre will be taken up by Mckenna with a possible debut handed to Czech player Pergl. The more likely is that Sedgewick will be asked to fill in the middle again and Whaley to start out wide.
Preston know it will be a tough game. Even tougher knowing that the side haven't made the last eight since 1966 so some psychological barriers have to be broken down for Preston to over come top flight opposition for the first time in a while!