Match Preview: Leicester City

Last updated : 23 April 2010 By Paul Neat

 

Preston North End Versus Leicester City 
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 23rd April 2010
In a game where North End will be sporting next season's strip, Darren Ferguson's attentions will be partially on who will be donning the new strip next term, at least that's how his team selection could be interpreted. 
With the onus very much on blooding the cream of the Lilywhite's youth team, Ferguson might just give the Deepdale faithful a preview of what's in store for 2010/2011 as well as attempting to stop the Foxes in their hunt for a play-off place.
City boss Nigel Pearson will be doing everything in his power to see the East Midlands side record successive promotions. 
A win for Leicester could spell a bitter-sweet weekend for Preston fans; a defeat could ensure it's Leicester make the play-offs and not bitter rivals Blackpool.
The Foxes are on a run of 3 wins on the spin, a 4th could just secure them a play-off place.
Previous Meetings
North End's visit to the Walkers Stadium back in September saw the Lilywhites record a rare away victory. 
Neil Mellor gave North End the lead just before half time to send the visitors hold the advantage at the interval. 
Midfielder Richard Chaplow doubled North End's lead on 66 minutes with a goal that proved to be the winner as Berner managed to salvage a late consolation for the Foxes.
Team News
North End will have to do without midfield maestro Paul Coutts who will miss the remaining games after undergoing surgery on persistent hip and groin injuries. 
Youngster Adam Barton sat out the trip to the Ricoh at the weekend after picking up a head injury during his debut but could be in line for a return on Saturday.
For the visitors, striker Steve Howard is set to miss the visit to Deepdale following his red card against Watford. Lloyd Dyer is back in contention, though, having missed the last three games with a calf injury. Preston North End Versus Leicester City 

In a game where North End will be sporting next season's strip, Darren Ferguson's attentions will be partially on who will be donning the new strip next term, at least that's how his team selection could be interpreted. 

With the onus very much on blooding the cream of the Lilywhite's youth system, Ferguson might just give the Deepdale faithful a preview of what's in store for the 2010/2011 season, as well as attempting to stop the Foxes in their hunt for a play-off place.

Nigel Pearson

City boss Nigel Pearson will be doing everything in his power to see the East Midlands side record successive promotions which means a win for Leicester could spell a bitter-sweet weekend for Preston fans.

A defeat for Preston could ensure it's Leicester that make the play-offs and not bitter rivals Blackpool, however, victory in front of their own fans for the last time this term is what will be expected from Darren Ferguson's side.

The Foxes are on a run of 3 wins on the spin, a 4th could just secure them a play-off place.

Previous Meetings

North End's visit to the Walkers Stadium back in September saw the Lilywhites record a rare away victory, albeit an impressive one.

Neil Mellor gave North End the lead just before half time to see the visitors hold the advantage at the interval. 

Midfielder Richard Chaplow doubled North End's lead on 66 minutes with a goal that proved to be the winner as former Swiss international Bruno Berner managed to salvage a late consolation for the Foxes.

Neil Mellor

 

Team News

North End will have to do without midfield maestro Paul Coutts who will miss the remaining games as the result of undergoing surgery on persistent hip and groin injuries. 

Paul Coutts

Youngster Adam Barton sat out the trip to the Ricoh at the weekend after picking up a head injury during his debut but could be in line for a return on Saturday.

For the visitors, striker Steve Howard is set to miss the visit to Deepdale following his red card against Watford. Lloyd Dyer is back in contention, though, having missed the last three games with a calf injury.