Preview: Blackpool vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Blackpool and Preston North End meet in the West Lancashire derby in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

21 Oct 2021, 17:40 · Sports Mole

The derby has taken place across all of the top four divisions of English football, but this will be the first league meeting between the two sides since 2010.

Match preview

Following a poor start to life back in the Championship after winning the League One playoffs last season, Blackpool have now picked up 13 points from their last six games.

Neil Critchley and his side are earning several plaudits for their organisation and style of play, and certainly seem the best prepared for life in the second tier out of the newly-promoted sides.

The Tangerines trailed 2-0 at halftime away at Reading on Wednesday evening, but staged a superb second half comeback to win 3-2 thanks to Owen Dale's strike and a brace from Jerry Yates.

Critchley said it was "everything I'd want in a Blackpool performance", as his side rose to 12th in the Championship table – three points off the playoffs.

Blackpool have won three of their last four home matches, but have only scored four goals in six games at Bloomfield Road so far this season.

Preston were also victorious on Wednesday night thanks to a second half comeback, beating high-flying Coventry City 2-1 with goals from Patrick Bauer and Emil Riis Jakobsen after the break.

It was a first win in eight league matches for the Lilywhites – six of their previous seven had ended as draws – and moved them 18th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Preston historically have the better record in the West Lancashire derby, with 46 wins to Blackpool's 30.

However, Frankie McAvoy's men are one of only two sides in the Championship yet to win an away game this season, along with Barnsley.

It is the start of a big week for the Lilywhites, as they host Liverpool in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Blackpool Championship form:

Preston North End Championship form:

Preston North End form (all competitions):

Team News

Luke Garbutt and Josh Bowler could both come back into the Blackpool side after dropping to the bench against Reading.

Sonny Carey made his first league start for the Tangerines at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and should keep his place.

Dujon Sterling has missed the last two matches through illness so is a doubt, while Kevin Stewart is likely to be absent again after suffering an ankle injury last weekend.

Preston hope to have Sean Maguire and Ali McCann back available for the derby, with the pair having missed the last two games through injury.

Emil Riis Jakobsen is the club's top scorer but there is competition for the spot alongside him upfront – Tom Barkhuizen played there last weekend before Scott Sinclair started in midweek.

Ryan Ledson and Ben Whiteman are both one yellow card away from incurring a one-match suspension.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Lawrence-Gabriel, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Garbutt; Bowler, Wintle, Dougall, Anderson; Yates, Carey

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Iversen; Storey, Bauer, Hughes; van den Berg, Whiteman, Browne, Earl; Johnson; Jakobsen, Barkhuizen

We say: Blackpool 2-1 Preston North End

Blackpool have settled well in the Championship and probably head into the derby as favourites, but Preston's midweek win will have given them a confidence boost. A fiery game should be in store with local bragging rights on the line and we think the hosts will just sneak victory.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

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