EFL Championship | Gameweek 41

Apr 8, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Deepdale

Preston vs Cardiff

Match preview

Preston scored with their first shot of the game in the 10th minute against Stoke, but were unable to create much of anything in the final third and managed just one more shot on target for the rest of the game without creating any real chances.

Indeed, Paul Heckingbottom's side have found the back of the net just once in their last three games and have been held without a goal in two of their previous four.

The Lilywhites did manage to beat Cardiff in their first meeting this season, winning 2-0 on 11 December, and it is worth noting that they have beaten the Welsh side by the same scoreline in three of their last four encounters.

Preston, meanwhile, have won just two of their last 11 games - losing four of those - while winning four of their previous five.

Deepdale has at least proved something of a fortress for the hosts, who have lost just once in their last 17 home games, although they have been held to a stalemate on nine occasions.

Their opponents, Cardiff, were held to a 0-0 draw by Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, failing to create any real chances in the first half and failing to register a shot on target.

To the Welsh side's credit, it was their first clean sheet in seven matches, a run in which they have conceded 10 goals.

Manager Omer Riza will be pleased that his side are at least level on points with 21st-placed Derby County, and with four points separating them from 17th-placed Portsmouth, he will believe that they can avoid relegation in their final six games.

The Bluebirds are unbeaten in their last three games, drawing twice, but lost each of their previous four.

However, Cardiff's away form is poor, having lost three, drawn two and won one of their last six games.

Recent Performance

Preston North End Championship form:DLDWLD

Preston North End form (all competitions):LDWLLD

Cardiff City Championship form:LLLWDD

Team News

Preston will be without midfielder Alistair McCann, but Heckingbottom could name Sam Greenwood, Benjamin Whiteman and Stefan Thordarson, who started as a trio against Stoke.

Defenders Jack Whatmough and Brad Potts are unavailable, while goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Perhaps Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Lewis Gibson could be deployed in a back three ahead of shot-stopper David Cornell.

As for Cardiff, with Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ralls both injured, Riza may opt for a double pivot of Rubin Colwill and Sivert Mannsverk.

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath could start for the visitors with Jak Alnwick nursing a hamstring injury, and he could play behind centre-backs William Fish and Joel Bagan with Perry Ng not in the squad.

Elsewhere, winger Anwar El-Ghazi has been ruled out, leaving Isaak Davies and Will Alves as the most likely candidates to flank striker Yousef Salek.

Possible starting lineup

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Cornell; Storey, Lindsay, Gibson; Kesler-Hayden, Greenwood, Whiteman, Thordarson, Brady; Jacobsen, Osmajic

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Rinomhota, Fish, Bagan, O'Dowda; Colwill, Mannsverk; Davies, Ashford, Alves; Salech