Hibernian Vs Preston North End Pre-season Match Preview

Last updated : 30 July 2009 By Paul Neat

Hibernian Vs Preston North End

Pre-Season Friendly Saturday 1st August 2009

The defeat at home to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night dented North End’s otherwise squeaky clean pre-season record in what became a footballing lesson from Roberto Martinez’men. However, although North End won’t be able to make it an unbeaten pre-season campaign, they can at least finish on a high with a win at Easter Road.

Easter Road

However, the trip to Easter Road will be a different kind of test just like Wigan was compared to the visit of Stoke. The physical side of Stoke and the pure football style of Stoke and Wigan respectively will be culminated into one match meaning that Irvine’s men get the best of both worlds.

Hibs, like North End, have suffered just one defeat so far in their summer campaign having lost to Shamrock Rovers on Monday. The Edinburgh based side kicked off their friendly match programme with a 4-0 win over Dunfermline before seeing off the challenge of North Irish outfit Glentoran 2-0 on Saturday.

Wayne Henderson

Team News

With no new additions yet to walk through the dressing room door at Deepdale, the same squad of players that featured against Wigan is widely expected to feature against Hibs on Saturday.

Stephen Elliott will be hoping to have done enough to force his way into the side in a bid to boost his match fitness. Elliott had previously missed all of Preston’s previous friendly matches and thus be champing at the bit after his injury lay-off.

Neil Mellor will be looking to continue in his rich vein of goal scoring form having netted in his last two matches whilst goalkeeper Neil Henderson will be hoping he did enough on Tuesday night to warrant another run out on Saturday.

Neil Mellor