Preston North End travel to South Coast to face John Mousinho’s Portsmouth at Fratton Park this weekend as they look to continue their positive start.
Preston North End have started in solid form but face a tough test as they head to Hampshire this weekend. Both PNE and upcoming opponents Portsmouth managed to avoid relegation last season, finishing in the bottom half.
The Lilywhites will be wanting to carry on their momentum in the league having gone unbeaten so far this season. Their recent 3-2 loss to Wrexham on Tuesday night was a blow having previously beaten Ipswich Town and Leicester City.
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom applauds fans after the match
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping Tuesday night’s defeat can be forgotten about ahead of a return to league action.
The midweek outing saw the likes of Daniel Jebbison and Odel Offiah make their home debuts for Preston North End, with eye-catching performances from Lewis Dobbin and Alfie Devine.
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Portsmouth meanwhile come into this one off the back of a 1-1 draw with West Brom last weekend.
Preston North End team news
Unfortunately for Preston North End, they will still be without first team regulars Brad Potts, Robbie Brady and Will Keane for the game at the weekend. All are still recovering from setbacks they suffered during pre-season, with Potts making the fastest progress.
Summer signing Jordan Thompson also remains on the sidelines with PNE boss Heckingbottom confirming a misdiagnosis from an ankle injury picked up at his previous club.
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Lewis Dobbin went off at half time but PNE manager confirming that was always the plan, and will include him on Saturday.
Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic celebrates scoring their second goal
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
Starting centre-back Lewis Gibson missed the EFL Cup fixture after limping during their win against Ipswich Town, but Heckingbottom has confirmed he’ll be available for the weekend.
Mads Frøkjær-Jensen missed the Leicester City and Wrexham game as he recovers from a groin injury picked up against AFC Barrow, and he could be involved after his training comeback.
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Star striker Milutin Osmajic came on in the second half, replacing Jebisson, but was forced off with a suspected rib injury, casting doubt over the Montenegrin’s availability against Portsmouth.
Predicted XI
(3-4-1-2)
Iversen: Storey, Gibson, Hughes; Valentin, McCann, Whiteman, Small; Devine; Dobbin, Smith.
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Daniel Iversen is expected to keep his place in Preston North End’s starting XI, and he’ll have the same centre-back trio in front of him on Saturday afternoon with Jorden Storey, Lewis Gibson and Andrew Hughes all keeping their spots.
Small continued his impressive performances last weekend and will start on the left, while Pol Valentin is expected to keep his place on the right.
Central midfielders Ben Whiteman and Ali McCann will start again after Stefan Thordarson and Theo Carroll having played large chunks of Tuesday night’s game.
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In front of them, Devine will start again after his first goal for the club with Frokjaer-Jensen potentially sidelined. Up top, Dobbin is favourite to start along with Michael Smith, with Jebisson still looking for match fitness.
The clash between PNE and Portsmouth kicks off at 15.00 on Saturday.
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