Preview Of The Potteries

Last updated : 28 September 2006 By @pnemad

PNE visit the Britannia Stadium this Saturday to play Stoke. Preston are high flying in fourth whilst Stoke lie in a lowly twenty second position, winning only once this season to Derby . This fixture hasn't lit up the calendar in recent meetings, with only 1 goal in the last 3 encounters. The last league meeting between the sides was a 0-0 draw at the Britannia.

Preston enter the game on the back of a hard fought dog fight 1-0 victory over Barnsley live on the sky cameras and Stoke go into the game on the end of a 2-0 away defeat to Wolves.

Stoke are incidentally the last team to win at Deepdale but the odds are on for a PNE win at the weekend.

Preston 's injury list may include the goal scorer against Barnsley, Agyemang, who suffered a knock in the game. Also concerns over unfit players such as Nowland, Mellor and Davidson.

Stoke have amongst their ranks, former PNE players Ricardo Fuller and Marlon Broomes and their manager will be hoping they can bring him some luck, since the poor start to the season has got some of the Stoke fans calling for his head. Also playing in Tony Pulis' team are Simonsen, Hoefkens, Pericard, Eustace, Chadwick, Sidibie, Bangoura, Duberry, Higginbottam and Brammer.

Player to watch: Luke Chadwick. The former Manchester United midfielder now plying his trade at Stoke. He arrived for £100,000 in January and has made a steady start but is now making an impact. He holds the key and is seen as Stoke's playmaker.

Match prediction: 0-2

Next fixture: Sunderland (home) Sat 14/10