Preston North End Vs Coventry City
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 9th February 2008
After a disappointing and abrupt end to the game at Carrow Road, North End will be looking to make their home games count and get three points against fellow strugglers Coventry City. With Just five points separating the two teams it really is a must win game for both sides as they look to avoid the drop. A win for North End could see them move out of the bottom three, that is of course if Bristol City beat Sheffield Wednesday at Ashton Gate too.
Coventry's recent form has been patchy, likewise with Preston. Iain Dowie's side hammered ex-North Ender, Simon Davey's Barnsley 4-0 following three straight defeats in the league. Whereas Alan Irvine saw his side beat the likes of Watford, West Brom and Premiership Derby County only to suffer defeat in the hands of Glenn Roeder's Norwich City with a Darel Russell last minute winner.
It is getting to that point in the season where you start to look at other teams results in hope that they have done you a favour. Other notable fixtures this weekend is the aforementioned Bristol City Vs Sheffield Wednesday. If the result goes in City's favour it could be a major boost for Preston in their bid to escape the drop as it could see North End have their heads above water. Preston will also be looking for a favour from bitter rivals Burnley who entertain bottom side Colchester United on Saturday. United are just three points behind Preston and a win could mean they are still very much within a chance of staying up.
Previous Meetings
The reverse fixture this season saw Coventry have the upper hand in a 2-1 win at the Ricoh Arena. A Patrick Agyemang goal gave the away side the lead with North End looking to be on their way to earning 3 valuable points only to see late goals from Adebola and Doyle made sure the points were staying in Coventry. Iain Dowie's side may have seen that result as revenge for the 4-0 thumping Preston gave them last season at the Ricoh. Two goals from Brett Ormerod and a goal each from Chris Sedgwick and David Nugent completed the rout.
The last time Coventry visited Deepdale however ended in a 1-1 draw. A result that would do both teams no favours this time round. David Nugent gave Preston a lead after little over half an hour played only to be cancelled out by a late Dele Adebola goal sent Coventry back to the midlands with a share of the points. A point was enough though to see North End go top of the league for the first time in 55 years.
Team News
The Deepdale faithful should see Billy Jones for the first time since December as he is set to replace the injured Youl Mawene. New 'keeper Gregorsz Szamoltulski could make his debut and striker Chris Brown is expected to return to the starting line up after missing the Norwich game through suspension. Coventry will of course be without Dele Adebola after his transfer away from the Ricoh Arena. Michael Mifsud is expected to feature despite only due to return from international duty on Friday.