Preston vs Blackpool prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-31 11:30.
Preston North End were handed a harsh reality check by Middlesbrough ahead of the international break as their seven-game unbeaten run came to a crashing halt with a thumping 4-0 defeat. That put a serious dent in the Lilywhites’ evaporating play-off hopes, although there’s an immediate chance for redemption in this match as relegation-threatened Blackpool make the trip to Deepdale for the 100th West Lancashire derby.
The last eight games between these sides have thrown up a mixed bag of results from a Preston perspective (W2, D2, L3), although they can take solace from the fact the away side on the day failed to win any of those encounters. That’s not to mention Preston’s current solid run of home form which has seen them play over four hours of football since they last conceded a goal here!
Blackpool’s survival prospects were left looking rather bleak after a 4-1 defeat before the break left them four points adrift of safety ahead of this round. Boss Mick McCarthy has turned up the pressure on his men ahead of this trip in response, stating that this will be a “proper scrap”, as the old school boss looks for just his third win since taking the reins (W2, D3, L7).
However neither of McCarthy’s wins with Blackpool have come away from home, and to add insult to injury, they’re yet to even lead at any stage of a competitive away game since his arrival (L6). The Tangerines did take the lead within 30 minutes of the reverse fixture though, which finished in a 4-2 win that has given them the chance to record their first winning league double over their local rivals since 1973/74.
Key battle: Preston captain Alan Browne featured against a star-studded France side earlier this week for Ireland, but his focus now swiftly changes from marking Kylian Mbappé to Blackpool’s Jerry Yates. The in-form Tangerine has scored in his last two games and hit goals either side of half-time in the reverse fixture.
Hot stat: Preston have averaged 2.75 points per game when scoring first this season (W11, L1), only Stoke can boast a higher return (2.83).