Swansea City Vs Preston North End Match Preview
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 6th February 13:00 KO
Nothing says a honeymoon period is over like a drubbing at home before a trip to the Liberty Stadium. That's the reality at Deepdale currently where new found optimism was just starting to rear its head from supporters.
However, a first half performance from that of a pub team coupled with several key players looking like they'd rather be in the pub ensured an embarrassing defeat to the hands of a slick and probing Barnsley outfit.
A neutral could argue that Barnsley were every bit as good as Preston were bad, nay, atrocious. Nevertheless, North End were poor meaning that a drastic upturn in effort and indeed attainment is needed if Darren Ferguson's side are to get anything from their trip to South Wales.
The Swans currently find themselves in 5th place and are on an impressive run of form which has seen them slump to just two defeats since their visit to Deepdale back in September.
Form
Swansea City Home Form: WWLDWD
Preston North End Away Form: DLLLLW
Overall
Swansea City: WDDWDD
Preston North End: LLLWWL
Swansea City visited Deepdale back in September where they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat. A Neil Mellor strike just before the half hour mark sent the Lilywhites in at the break 1-0 up. Said goal looked like it was going to be enough, however, Stephen Elliott settled the Deepdale nerves with an 89th minute strike.
Things weren't so rosy when North End faced Swansea on both occasions last season, though; in total 1 goal scored, 6 conceded condemned North End to two defeats against the Swans. At Deepdale a wonder strike from Ferrie Bodde on 19 minutes and a Jordi Gomez penalty sealed a win for the newly promoted side.
North End's first and only visit to the Liberty Stadium to date wasn't a pleasant one. North End found themselves 2-0 down with less than half an hour played thanks to strikes from Gomez and Scotland on 2 and 29 minutes respectively. Buaza made it 3 on 69 before Tate added a 4th with just 3 minutes left. Chris Brown grabbed a scant consolation in injury time.
Team News
Winger Keith Treacy is in line to make his first start for North End whilst fellow new recruit Paul Coutts will be hoping he can make his debut for the Lilywhites.
Skipper Callum Davidson is in contention for a return after recovering from a head injury was enough to keep him out of the Ipswich and Barnsley games. Midfield duo Barry Nicholson and Paul Parry are "a long while off" according to gaffer Darren Ferguson.