Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers Prediction: Preston is on three game winning run

Preston North End will welcome Blackburn Rovers at Deepdale Stadium in Game Week 33 of the English Championship. Preston is on three game winning run in the Championship. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Not so long ago, Preston seemed to lose their strong start to the season due to a prolonged period of poor form. They only managed to win five out of 22 games in the Championship. However, Ryan Lowe's team has bounced back and won three consecutive matches. They have defeated Ipswich Town, Cardiff City, and Middlesbrough this month, earning 13 out of a possible 18 points. Along with two other teams, they are tied on points with the sixth-placed Coventry City and are confident in their ability to regain a top-six position soon. Despite their inconsistent performance at Deepdale, Preston has still won nine out of 16 games. They are now facing Blackburn, who have recently appointed John Eustace as their new manager, aiming to avoid relegation. Preston is currently facing several injury issues within the team. One notable player, Brad Potts, will be sidelined for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury. Andrew Hughes, who has a knock, and Ben Whiteman, who has a dead leg, will undergo assessments to determine if they can continue playing in the upcoming match. In case Hughes cannot play, Greg Cunningham will likely replace him in the back three, and Ali McCann may step in for Whiteman if necessary.

The potential starting lineup for Preston North End includes Woodman; Cunningham, Storey, and Lindsay in defense, Millar, Browne, Whiteman, and Brady in midfield, and Frokjaer-Jensen, Keane, and Riis as forwards. 

Although Blackburn's temporary management team secured a 3-1 victory in their first game, Eustace started his reign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against his former team, Birmingham City. Currently in 16th place, Blackburn is only seven points away from the relegation zone and three points away from the 21st position. This situation should alert them to focus and improve their performance at Ewood Park. However, Blackburn's away record has been poor, losing their last six away fixtures in the Championship.

There is a possibility that Jake Garrett will join the Blackburn starting lineup as a substitution for Joe Rankin-Costello, who was forced off the field during the first half of their previous game against Birmingham. Andrew Moran might also make a return in the final third of the field, although the majority of players who utilized the back-three system on Tuesday might be given another opportunity.

Blackburn Rovers might start with Pears; Hyam, McFadzean, and Chrisene in defence, Brittain, Garrett, Tronstad, and Hedges in midfield, and Moran, Szmodics, and Gallagher as forwards.

Although Preston is considered the favourite in this match, it is important to note that this is a derby, and Blackburn needs a win to ignite their performance. Therefore, it is possible that the match could end in a draw, which would not benefit either team at this stage of the season. Expect over 2.5 goals in the game.