please log in to view this image PRESTON NORTH END v WATFORD please log in to view this image Deepdale Saturday 16th December 2023 Kick Off : 1500 GMT please log in to view this image After a spell of inconsistent form, these teams sit in eighth and 12th place in the table, still in proximity to the top six. With Preston having suffered two separate three-game losing streaks since the end of September, Ryan Lowe is having to work hard to keep the club in contention for the play-offs. please log in to view this image All momentum from earlier in the season has been lost, yet Preston have still managed to register three wins from their more recent Championship fixtures. The most recent success came in midweek as they recorded a 3-1 victory at Huddersfield Town, extending their recent improvement on their travels to seven points from four games. At Deepdale, though, Preston must improve, with their only win in six games at their home ground being a 3-2 triumph over Coventry City back on November 4. Meanwhile, Watford have been halted in their tracks over the past week, failing to win home games against either Southampton or Ipswich Town. In their defence, they were facing two of the form teams in the division, and it felt like a point gained having netted an equalizer versus the Saints deep into added-on time. please log in to view this image Nevertheless, Valerien Ismael's side are now back down in 12th position, five points adrift of the play-offs even though they have lost just twice - against the top two in the division - in 11 matches. While Ismael will not necessarily be concerned about the previous double-header, he knows that a positive result is required on Saturday to keep the Hornets within touching distance of the top six. Team News Not available yet. Our Officials Strangely, the EFL have not said who will be in charge.
Ismael ahead of Preston: All players, with obvious exception of Ngakia, fit and training. Louza wasn’t in squad on Tuesday as VI is picking on merit and performances.
Interesting team. Can you work out the formation? Looks like Sema at LB or WB depending on formation:
For some reason, Twitter isn't loading for me - so - please log in to view this image And no - I can't really work out a formation. Sema, Martins and Bayo up front?
I think Preston set up 3-5-2 normally so I think we are matching them up in midfield with Bayo as lone striker. Also I think we have the flexibility to change between 3 & 4 at the back. We appear overloaded with Lewis, Sema & Martins all usually down the left. My guess is at least one of them is starting on the right... somewhere
A bit too soon yet, but this one usually works well for me. http://www.fawanews.com/Preston vs Watford FC.html
Damn internet - no connection for my TV or my laptop. Looks like I'm having to rely on updates on here...
