Preston North End look to continue their unbeaten run as they take on Sheffield United

Preston North End face Sheffield United at Deepdale with a win for either side pushing them into the top half of the Championship table.

The fixture was previously supposed to be played on Boxing Day but was postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases within the North End camp meaning the game was rescheduled.

Preston come into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon, despite leading for the large majority of the second half. A late goal from Scott Hogan earned the Blues a point and saw the Lilywhites drop two valuable points as they look to return into the top half of the table.

Sheffield United will be looking to bounce back after a 2-0 defeat away to Derby County, who are on an inspired run after climbing off the foot of the Championship despite a 21-point deduction.

The two sides are on the same amount of points heading into the clash in Lancashire with the Blades having played one less game than the Lilywhites. In the reverse fixture, the sides drew 2-2 as Preston stole a point in added time through an Emil Riis Jakobsen goal from close range.

Since Ryan Lowe left Plymouth Argyle to become manager of Preston, the club has seemed a lot more positive on and off the pitch. Lowe has made clear how he wants North End to play an attacking brand of football, similar to the way he set up at Plymouth and Bury and went on to enjoy winning promotion in both spells.

The Lilywhites are enjoying a run of three league games unbeaten and were unlucky to not have recorded a third consecutive win on Saturday afternoon against Birmingham. However, with the unbeaten league run still intact, Lowe will be looking to beat the Yorkshire side and keep the feel-good factor at Deepdale going.

With games coming thick and fast, changes are likely to be made for both sides as the Championship schedule heats up. North End will be without Josh Earl who is still sidelined with an ankle injury but Ryan Ledson is believed to be back in contention after missing the weekend’s game.

The clash could also see Ben Whiteman and Daniel Iverson make their 50th appearance in all competitions for Preston as the duo look to help their side continue their unbeaten run.

With the Blades losing their last two games, they will be keen to get back to winning ways and look for a late play-off surge in the second half of the season.

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