This seasons surprise package Coventry City will be hoping to make ground on the top six this weekend as they face an inconsistent Preston North End at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Mark Robins' Coventry have seen an upturn in form as of late, winning their last two games against Barnsley and Bristol City. They currently sit in ninth place, just three points off Sheffield United in sixth.
Ryan Lowe's Preston are only just below the Sky Blues in 13th place but they come into the game winless in their last two, having lost to basement boys Reading and playing out a goalless draw at Deepdale against Nottingham Forest.
-
Team news
The Sky Blues come into the game with no fresh injury concerns.
However, Jodi Jones may be fit to return to the matchday squad after missing Tuesday night's trip to Bristol City with what Robins described as "pain and swelling" in his knee.
As for Matty Godden, Liam Kelly and Josh Eccles, they are all still expected to be out for a few weeks yet.
Preston come into the game with question marks over a couple of heads.
Lowe has admitted that the Lilywhites will have to make a late call on defender Patrick Bauer, who scores the winner in the reverse fixture, after he was forced off with a hip injury in midweek.
Josh Murphy may also make his long-awaited return to Preston's first team following an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since the last time these two sides met back in October 2021.
Although, Preston fans will have to wait a while longer yet to see returns for Tom Barkhuizen, Sean Maguire and Greg Cunningham, with all three expected to be out until the end of the month.
-
Predicted lineups
Coventry City: Moore (GK), Hyam, McFadzean (C), Clarke-Salter, Kane, Allen, Hamer, Bidwell, O'Hare, Maatsen, Gyokeres
Preston North End: Iversen (GK), Van Den Berg, Lindsay, Bauer, Hughes, Browne, Whiteman, Potts, Johnson, Archer, Riis
-
Ones to watch
Dutch-born Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Hamer has been a breath of fresh air ever since he made the move from PEC Zwolle to the Midlands back in July 2020.
He again showcased his class in the Sky Blues' last-gasp win away at Bristol City in midweek, driving through the heart of the Robins' team to set up Viktor Gyokeres' winning goal and Coventry fans will be hoping he can have a similar impact this Saturday.
Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer has certainly impressed since heading to Deepdale in January.
His first eight games for Preston has seen a return of four goals, including two in his last three appearances.
Preston fans making the trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena this weekend will be hoping he can continue his red-hot start and guide them to three points.
-
Past meetings
These two sides have faced each other 43 times previously, with the result going Preston's way more often than not.
The Deepdale side have won 19 of the sides' encounters; there have been 14 draws, whilst Coventry have only won 10 times against their visitors.
Preston ran out winners in the reverse fixture this season too, winning 2-1, courtesy of goals from Bauer and Emil Riis.
-
Where to watch
While the game is not available to watch live in the UK, overseas supporters can watch the game via either clubs' iFollow service.
Supporters in the UK can use iFollow to listen to the match live.