Preview: Burnley vs. Preston North End

Burnley play host to Preston North End in the Lancashire derby on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their current unbeaten record in the Championship to 10 matches.

Preston make the short trip to Turf Moor without a win in three outings, but despite local pride being on the line, they may relish the tag of underdogs against the Clarets.

Burnley

While last week's 2-2 draw with Cardiff City made it three successive games where only a point had been achieved, Burnley boss Sean Dyche had nothing but praise for his players after they extended their unbeaten record to nine games.

The Clarets appeared to be on course for their first defeat since September 26 when they found themselves two goals down heading into the final five minutes of normal time, before late strikes from Rouwen Hennings and Michael Keane salvaged an unlikely share of the spoils.

The result has left Burnley four points off leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, but Dyche may consider it more important that they continue to hold a six-point cushion ahead of seventh place. The target will be automatic promotion but it is considered imperative that they remain in a playoff place.

While Andre Gray continued to misfire away from home, Dyche would have been elated to see Hennings break his duck for the club at the 10th attempt. The German frontman is having to play third fiddle to Gray and Sam Vokes, but with such a hectic schedule in the second tier, his contribution could prove vital come the end of the season.

From a defensive perspective, last week's game was the first time that Burnley had conceded two goals in a match since losing to Reading nine games ago, but there should not be too much concern ahead of opposition who have struggled for goals all season.

Recent form: WWWDDD

Preston North End

Over the past six weeks, Preston have attracted attention for their record of six clean sheets in a row - something which helped them move away from the relegation zone - but now that streak has been broken, Simon Grayson's men must focus their attempts on ensuring that their hard work is not undone.

Conceding for the first time in seven games resulted in Preston losing out 2-1 to Blackburn Rovers, while allowing Fulham to net a late equaliser at Craven Cottage last weekend saw two more points slip away after they had previously held the advantage for three quarters of the game.

While Preston have lost just once in eight games, only 11 points have been recorded, and while that has been a better return than some of their rivals at the bottom of the standings, Grayson will be aware that they must improve in the final third if they are to ever create any distance between themselves and the drop zone.

Joe Garner's first two strikes of the season had been long overdue, but it has not solved their problems in front of goal. Preston have failed to score more than once in a game in all but one of their league games this season, with only Bolton Wanderers holding a worse offensive record over 18 outings.

Grayson will be delighted that his side currently sit three points above the relegation zone at this stage of the campaign, but with a number of teams below them finding form, they cannot afford to continue to draw blanks when presented with opportunities in and around the box.

Recent form: DDWDLD

Team News

Burnley striker Vokes could return to the side after recovering from a groin injury that has plagued him for the past month.

Midfielder Dean Marney may also be handed a start after easing his way back into action over recent weeks after a long-term injury layoff.

Preston were dealt a blow in the week when it was revealed that striker Stevie May would miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

However, Grayson will be able to call upon defender Bailey Wright, who missed last week's game through suspension.

Burnley possible starting lineup: Heaton, Darikwa, Duff, Keane, Mee, Boyd, Jones, Barton, Arfield, Vokes, Gray

Preston North End possible starting lineup: Pickford, Wright, Clarke, Huntington, Cunningham, Johnson, Gallagher, Browne, Reach, Garner, Doyle

Head To Head

In a rivalry spanning all the way back to 1888, as many as 134 matches have been contested between the two sides, with Preston winning 55 times compared to Burnley emerging victorious on 52 occasions.

Four seasons have passed since the two North-West clubs last met in the league, but they did play each other in the League Cup in 2013, with Burnley winning 2-0 at Turf Moor.

You have to go back 11 matches and 10 years since a draw was recorded in this fixture.

We say: Burnley 2-0 Preston North End

With Burnley possessing a strong defensive record and Preston struggling to find the back of the net, there should only be one winner here. We are backing top goalscorer Gray to net in a comfortable win for the home side.