Preston vs Coventry predictions: Stuttering Sky Blues set for Deepdale draw
- Preston have drawn four of their last six matches
- Coventry have won only two of their last 15 Championship fixtures
- Recommended bet: Draw
Preston delivered some much improved performances before the international break and they will be aiming for a third league win of the season when taking on fellow strugglers Coventry at Deepdale.
The early months of the season were a testing time for North End, who slipped into the drop zone after a late-September 3-1 defeat at Millwall.
However, they collected four points from their last two fixtures, including a superb 3-0 victory at home to Watford.
Coventry had hoped to mount a promotion push, but they are nearer to the relegation zone than the top six after winning just two of nine games.
The Sky Blues are also winless on their travels and lost 2-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday last time out.
Team news
Preston must get used to operating without striker Milutin Osmajic, who is just one game into an eight-match ban.
Will Keane also faces a few weeks on the sidelines, so Emil Riis will almost certainly lead the Lilywhites attack.
Coventry could welcome back Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (leg), but Jake Bidwell (knee) has joined Jamie Allen (leg) on the sidelines.
Haji Wright, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms are competing for places in attack.
The stats
Preston are unbeaten in their last 21 league matches against Coventry and have won eight of the last 10 meetings.
North End have kept clean sheets in three of their last four fixtures, while Coventry have not won on any of their last seven Championship road trips.
Two of Coventry’s last three away games have finished 1-1 and all of their last five matches have generated three goals.
Prediction
Coventry have not beaten Preston in a league match since September 2007 and they might have to be content with a share of the points this weekend.
Sky Blues’ manager Mark Robins has been with the club for over seven years, but he is coming under pressure after the team’s poor start to the season.
There were pre-season expectations of Coventry being involved in the promotion race, but, after taking just eight points from nine games, the Midlands outfit are at risk of being dragged into the relegation battle.
Coventry have not won on their league travels since March and they are up against an improving Preston side who drew 1-1 away to Burnley in their final outing before the international break.
The Lilywhites have been making steady progress under Paul Heckingbottom, who was appointed less than two weeks after the start of the season.
However, the Lilywhites have limited attacking options with Osmajic banned and Keane injured and they might be content to add a single point to their tally.
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