Preston North End play host to North West rivals Blackpool on Saturday afternoon knowing that they realistically require all three points to remain as contenders for promotion.
At a time when the home side sit in 12th position in the Championship standings, Blackpool are in 23rd spot, four points adrift of safety.
Match preview
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Ahead of their trip to Middlesbrough before the international break, Preston were on a seven-match unbeaten streak which was necessary to keep them in the promotion picture.
However, Ryan Lowe watched his side succumb to a 4-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium, significantly denting their chances of achieving a surprise promotion place.
Now seven points adrift of the top six with eight matches remaining, Lowe will acknowledge that only wins will do at this stage if they want to remain in contention.
Preston's home form has cost them during 2022-23 with just five wins being posted from their 19 matches on familiar territory.
Nevertheless, eight points have been accumulated from their most recent four fixtures at Deepdale, and they will expect to build upon that streak this weekend.
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From Blackpool's perspective, they appeared to be on a marginal upward trajectory under Mick McCarthy, whose side have occasionally posted eye-catching results.
That was the case as they thrashed Queens Park Rangers by a 6-1 scoreline ahead of another important tussle with Coventry City before the international break.
Rather than build on their previous result, the Seasiders went down 4-1 to the Sky Blues, going behind for the second time in the match just before half time proving decisive.
McCarthy will now hope that his team can collect points on their travels, yet this is a Blackpool side that has lost each of their last six away fixtures in the second tier.
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Lowe will be forced into at least two changes with Preston defenders Bambo Diaby and Greg Cunningham unavailable through suspension and injury.
Andrew Hughes and Liam Lindsay are in line to deputise in the back three, while Troy Parrott or Liam Delap will be introduced into the attack.
Meanwhile, McCarthy may have to make alterations to his Blackpool defence with Jordan Thorniley having sustained a concussion before the international break.
That would see Callum Connolly drop into the back three, providing that McCarthy does not change system, with Kenneth Dougall seemingly most likely to be recalled.
Ian Poveda-Ocampo may also come back into the starting lineup after a spell out through injury.
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Fernandez; Johnson; Parrott, Cannon
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Connolly, Nelson, Husband; Lyons, Patino, Fiorini, Dougall, Hamilton; Yates, Rogers
We say: Preston North End 2-1 Blackpool
Blackpool would have felt in a decent place until they were thrashed by Coventry, and that could have ramifications for this contest. Preston are not a free-scoring team, but we feel that they will have enough to edge out their rivals at Deepdale.
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Top tip
Darren Plant
