Tuesday not only sees the return of the Champions League, but the resumption of EFL action in England, following the postponement of the entire schedule at the weekend, due to the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
We have six games taking place in the Championship and the big televised game comes from Deepdale, where Preston take on Burnley in a Lancashire derby. We’ve previewed the game and provided you with our two best bets for the occasion.
Preston North End vs. Burnley Tips
Preston have had an extremely odd start to the season, with just three goals combined scored in their eight fixtures to date. They had kept seven straight clean sheets prior to last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Birmingham and manager Ryan Lowe will be desperate to get another unbeaten run up and running here, in a local derby against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
The Clarets have also had a mixed start to their first season back in the second tier, winning just three games, drawing four times and losing just once. Despite their inability to get over the winning line in matches, Kompany still sees his team sat comfortably in the playoff places and just four points behind leaders Sheffield United. A win here, against a Preston side that looks unable to score goals would be a great way of getting the Turf Moor outfit marching up towards the automatic promotion spots in the division.
Team news:
Lowe is without four of his playing squad after Ben Woodburn suffered a sprained ankle in the recent games against Coventry. He joins Sean Maguire, Bambo Diaby and Andrew Hughes on the unavailable list.
Kompany is also missing several players including Scott Twine, Ashley Westwood and Kevin Long, while keeper Arijanet Muric is still nursing a shoulder problem so will likely be replaced by Bailey Peacock-Farrell once again. Kompany will be tempted to give new Borussia Mönchengladbach loanee Jordan Beyer a start in the centre of the back four.
Preston North End vs. Burnley Odds
Burnley to win – 29/20
The Clarets have been nothing short of frustrating thus far under Kompany. They have a superb squad on paper and have played some fantastic football at times, notably in their opener against Huddersfield Town, away at Wigan and in the first half against Blackpool. However, too many times leads have been squandered or Burnley have had to equalise after conceding early.
Preston have looked solid but impotent. As well as five nil-nils, they have also had three games decided by a solitary goal. I can’t see them holding a Burnley team here that has scored 14 goals, the third most in the division. Combine that with North End’s inability to score and I can only see this going one way.
#PickYourPunt: Josh Brownhill to score and Ben Whiteman to be carded – 12/1
We’ve also put together a 12/1 double using our on site #PickYourPunt feature. It includes Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill to score and Preston central midfielder Ben Whiteman to be carded.
Let’s be honest here, Brownhill is too good for the Championship. Alongside Jack Cork and Josh Cullen, you have by far the best central midfield line up in the second tier. Brownhill has been superb this season, scoring four times in eight appearances and leads the Clarets for shots and shots on target. Brownhill likes to let fly from range and I have no doubt he’ll be testing his luck here against Preston’s resolute defending.
Ben Whiteman is second in tackles and fouls to Robert Brady at Preston and has picked up two cautions already this campaign. The 26-year-old Englishman picked up 13 yellows last season and was comfortably North End’s most disciplined player.
The two bets combined pay 12/1 and is our longshot for Tuesday’s big Championship game.
