Preston North End v Plymouth Argyle: Predictions, Lineups & Odd (26/04)

Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head:

Preston North End haven’t won since beating Portsmouth at Deepdale in the middle of March and have lost their last three consecutively, including defeat to relegation rivals Hull City on Easter Monday.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side have won just twice since the end of January and went out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage against Aston Villa during that run.

The last time Preston claimed a point was against Cardiff City at Deepdale in a game which they twice lead before being pegged back in the 94th minute. Milutin Osmajic had given North End the lead before Will Alves drew Cardiff level. Stefan Thordarson put the hosts back in front before the stoppage time equaliser from Yakou Meite.

Preston have scored 45 goals this season Emil Riis Jakobsen leading the scoring charts with ten closely followed by Milutin Osmajic on eight. Mads Frokjaer-Jensen leads the assist charts on five and is followed by a number of players on three, including Robbie Brady and Sam Greenwood.

Heckingbottom’s men have conceded on 55 occasions at an average of 1.3 per game and have kept 13 clean sheets so far.

Plymouth Argyle head north on a run of three wins from their last five matches, including a home win over Coventry City on Easter Monday. A Mustapha Bundu brace either side of a Ryan Hardie strike gave Argyle an important three points over Frank Lampard’s playoff hunting Sky Blues.

That victory over Coventry followed defeat on the road to Middlesbrough where Bundu again got himself on the scoresheet. Prior to Boro, the Pilgrims registered an impressive victory over promotion chasing Sheffield United in dramatic fashion.

The Blades had taken the lead through Jeserun Rak-Sakyi on the stroke of half time and looked to have secured a vital three points before Argyle struck late. Ryan Hardie equalised with nine minutes left on the clock before Muhamed Tijani grabbed a late winner to boost his side’s survival hopes.

Plymouth have scored 48 goals so far this season at an average of just over one per match with Ryan Hardie scoringten of those as he leads the goal charts ahead of Mustapha Bundu who has nine. Bundu also leads the assist charts ahead of Hardie and Adam Randell.

Argyle have by far the worst defensive record in the division having conceded 85 goals at an average of almost two per match, keeping just three clean sheets.

Plymouth has the worst away record in the Championship having won just once on the road this season and losing 15 of their 22 away matches.

The reverse fixture at Home Park in October served up a six goal thriller as the two sides had to settle for a point each. In a dramatic encounter, Preston had taken a three goal lead through Sam Greenwood, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Brad Potts and looked to have secured all three points before Argyle hit back.

Freddie Issaka got what looked like a consolation for Plymouth after 55 minutes before Andre Gray and a stoppage time Morgan Whittaker strike rescued a point for the Devon side.

Last season’s two encounters were also tight affairs but were both edged by North End. Duane Holmes and Liam Millar gave Preston a two goal cushion in Lancashire and they were able to hold on despite a Ryan Hardie strike getting Argyle back into the game. Millar was again on the score sheet in the return fixture as Preston headed south and secured a 1-0 victory.

Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?Where To Watch Preston North End v Plymouth Argyle: