Preston vs Wigan prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-02-24 15:00.
Memories of a seven-match unbeaten run which kicked off Preston North Endâs Championship campaign are starting to become a distant memory with the side sitting well adrift of the top six ahead of the round after Saturdayâs 0-0 draw at Hull City. They are now winless in five competitive matches (D2, L3) and with the second-worst league scoring record (28) exacerbated by blanking in 44% of their league games, the Lilywhites are perhaps cosying up to mid-table comforts.
Deepdale has been deeply synonymous with their seasonal problems as Prestonâs home tally of 14 points (W3, D5, L8) is better than only their next opponents, Wigan Athletic. Looking to improve on the goalless draw the last time these sides faced off, Lilywhites manager Ryan Lowe said he hopes âthe fans will be getting behind usâ for a derby match where Preston will look to pick up a first home league win since early November (D1, L5).
Preston are, however, chasing a fourth consecutive home H2H win, but their task here might be complicated by bottom-placed Wigan gaining a new lease of life under still-unbeaten manager Shaun Maloney (W1, D3). A goalless draw against Norwich City on Saturday may have left Wigan disappointed, but Maloney felt it was âprobably the best performanceâ under his tenure as he looks to steer an improving Latics side away from an instant return to League One.
Defensive improvements have led the charge for the visitors who have kept three clean sheets across their last four Championship games which is as many as theyâd managed across their previous 27 league outings! So a tight contest might be expected here and with draws a frequent occurrence across their last eight away games (D6, L2), Wigan may not be far off posting consecutive H2H draws for the first time this century.
Key battle: It might not be the end of the world if Prestonâs âkeeper Freddie Woodman fails to keep a clean sheet, as his two career wins against Wigan have come by a 2-1 scoreline. Former Preston loan product Will Keane will certainly do his best to ensure thereâs no shutout, having opened Wiganâs scoring with each of his last ten Championship goals.
Hot stat: Wigan have conceded a league-high 12 goals beyond the 80th minute.