Preston host Millwall at Deepdale on Saturday, in a game that the Lion’s have dominated over the years. Last season, this exact fixture saw the home side suffer a 4-2 defeat.
Preston
The Lilywhites are currently in third place in the Championship, thanks to their unbelievable start to the campaign, where they won six consecutive games. However they have tasted defeat in each of their last three matches. Ryan Lowe’s side have scored 1.36 goals per match this season but that average increases when they play at home. Preston have also conceded 1.55 goals per game but most of those goals have occurred in the past few weeks. That said, they’ve won 80% of their home games.
Last time out, they travelled to Ipswich where they suffered a 4-2 defeat, which took their goals conceded tally to 11 over the last three matches. The hosts dominated the tie and took the lead early on, before Mads Frokjaer-Jensen equalised in the 27th minute. By half time, Ipswich had netted their third of the game. Benjamin Whiteman gave the PNE faithful hope, as he scored just after the break, but they never really threatened from that point on.
Millwall
Millwall have been inconsistent this season and when they have won a game, they often struggle to follow it up with another positive result. They sit in 15th place after 11 matches with a points tally of 15. The Lion’s record away from home is rather impressive and it is actually better than their home form, as they have only lost once in five matches on the road. They concede 0.8 goals per game whilst travelling but their main issue has been in front of goal, scoring an average of 1 per game.
Gary Rowett’s last game as Millwall boss ended in a 2-2 draw to Hull. Duncan Watmore gave the Lions the lead In the 8th minute but by the half hour mark, Hull were in front. Joe Bryan scored after the break to equalise but the hosts were unable to complete the comeback.
Verdict?
It is unknown how Millwall will perform without Gary Rowett this weekend, but Preston will be extremely motivated to end their losing streak with a victory. The tie should be decided by fine margins and goals may be limited.
The final prediction is Preston 1-0 Millwall.
