Preston North End Vs Southampton Match Preview

Last updated : 31 October 2008 By Paul Neat

Preston North End Vs Southampton

Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 1st November

North End target two wins in a week as they welcome the visit of Southampton on Saturday.

After stopping the rot at just two games with a win over Watford on Tuesday, Alan Irvine will be pleased to have another home game in quick succession to prepare his side for as the Lilywhites take on the Saints. Southampton find themselves languishing in the bottom three after being without a win in their last five matches and will be desperate to put that right at the weekend.

Southampton have not won on the road since September when the Hampshire side beat newly promoted Doncaster Rovers 2-0. Jan Poortvliet will know that his side are going to have to pick up points away from home if they are going to salvage their season. A win at Deepdale could be what they need to kick start their season whilst getting revenge for last season's embarrassing 5-1 defeat in the process.

Previous Meetings

As mentioned above, the corresponding fixture last season saw Preston emphatically beat the Saints 5-1 with Patrick Agyemang netting a brace after Karl Hawley, Darren Carter and Chris Sedgwick had put North End 3-0 up.

Preston completed the double over the Saints back in December 2007 when Preston visited the south coast with Lewis Neal bagged a late winner to break Southampton hearts.

Team News

As is with Alan Irvine's selection policy, it is unlikely that there will be any changes to the team that beat Watford in midweek. Wayne Brown is set to start his second game in Preston colours following his loan move from Premier League Hull.