Preston North End vs Brighton preview: How to watch, predicted lineups and ones to watch

A look ahead to the EFL Cup fixture between Preston and Brighton.

PRESTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: General view of Preston North End logo on a corner flag at Deepdale home of Preston North End prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Wigan Athletic at Deepdale on August 10, 2019 in Preston, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

By Theo Beevers23 September 2020 11:21 BST

Brighton and Hove Albion travel to the Deepdale Stadium to face Preston North End in the third round of the EFL Carabao Cup this Wednesday.

The Seagulls will be looking to progress to the next round of the cup in what Graham Potter's men will see as a favourable fixture, especially considering Brighton’s promising start to the new season.

However, the Lilywhites are not opposition that should not be easily overlooked.

Form

Preston’s start to the season has not been an enviable one, failing to win either of their opening two Championship games. A 2-2 draw away to recently relegated Norwich City may be seen as a positive result, but Lilywhite fans would have hoped for much more then out of a possible six points.

In the cup, Preston convincingly beat ten men Derby County at Pride Park, dominating possession and bombarding the Rams goal with double the attempts of their opposition.

Brighton’s start to the season consists of two wins from three competitive matches, losing to only Frank Lampard’s revamped Chelsea on the opening game of the season.

In their last two games, the Gulls have scored seven goals and conceded none, netting four past Portsmouth in the last round of the cup and scoring the other three away at Newcastle last Sunday.

Head to head

These sides have clashed on 33 occasions in their history with the first meeting coming in 1908 where Brighton hosted a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup.

Since then there have been draws on 12 different occasions and 13 wins for Preston, last beating the Gulls in 2017.

Brighton have not managed to beat the Lilywhites since 2004 and have only ever won seven games in this fixture.

Ones to watch

Scott Sinclair is a veteran winger who may have the experience to guide Preston to an unexpected victory this Wednesday.

The 31-year-old has played for some of the top clubs in Europe, spending years at Manchester City and Celtic. Experience such as this could be an essential part of causing an upset.

Neal Maupay for Brighton is always a threat. The clinical Frenchman has already been directly involved in three goals in the Premier League this season, scoring twice and assisting the other.

The ex-Brentford forward came to life at the end of last season and looks destined to continue his form. Being awarded the number nine jersey will give the forward and fresh breath of confidence which should worry Preston supporters.