Match Pack: Watford v Preston North End

• Watford v Preston North End
• Sky Bet Championship
• Vicarage Road
• Saturday April 6, 3pm KO
• Yellow and black home kit

• Referee: James Bell
• Assistant Referees: Ian Cooper and Matthew Smith
• Fourth Official: David Rock

Preston North End's play-off hopes suffered a blow last time out as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Gary Rowett's relegation-threatened Birmingham City.

Despite a strong start to the season, with the side sitting top of the Championship after seven matches, the Lilywhites’ form has not been as strong since.

Their most recent setback places Preston in eighth, five points off Norwich City in the final play-off position with a game in hand.

The Golden Boys last faced Preston in December, emerging victorious as 5-1 winners after a dominant second-half performance. Since then, Saturday’s opposition has endured inconsistent form, picking up nine wins from 17 matches.

With only seven games remaining, Preston are yet to play promotion rivals such as Norwich, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, as well having a difficult game against Leicester City on the horizon.

Now more than ever, picking up wins is vital for Ryan Lowe’s team as their bid for the play-offs continues.

Preston will be marking Gentry Day - where supporters remember people connected to the club who have passed away - during tomorrow's fixture.

• Watford are looking to complete a league double over Preston North End for just the second time, also doing so in 2020/21.

• Watford are unbeaten in their last five league games against Preston (W3 D2) since a 3-1 away defeat on the final day of the 2010/11 Championship season.

• Preston’s 1-0 loss to Birmingham last time out ended a run of four successive away league games unbeaten (W3 D1); they haven’t failed to score in successive away league matches since November/December.

Click HERE for a full statistical breakdown.

Interim Head Coach Tom Cleverley confirmed that Giorgi Chakvetadze and Jack Grieves are both available for selection after the pair missed Monday's 2-2 draw away at West Brom through illness.

He also provided a positive update on long-term absentees Jeremy Ngakia and Ken Sema, who are both expected to be able to re-join the squad in seven to 10 days.

For Preston, captain Alan Browne will be assessed ahead of the match, with Liam Millar in a similar position.

The match comes too soon for Ryan Ledson and Ched Evans, while Ben Whiteman and Brad Potts continue their long-term absence.

Tom Cleverley, Watford Interim Head Coach:

Preston are a well-organised outfit, experienced at this level, they win duels, they work hard, they have quality, and they are eighth for a reason, they do what they do well.

We are making our players fully aware of the challenge that is upon us, I know we had a very, very positive result when we played them at their place, but we understand the challenge ahead.

Ryan Lowe, Preston North End Manager:

Preston North End fans have been fantastic with Gentry Day since I’ve been here and we want that to continue.

The tradition of it is always nice and you have special days out which is pleasing, and as I said before, we do it for the ones who are no longer with us.

Obviously we have to do our bit on the pitch to make sure it’s a fantastic occasion and a fantastic day.

Overall:

Won: 14
Drawn: 15
Lost: 18

Last Six:

December 2023: Preston North End 1-5 Watford (Championship)
March 2023: Watford 0-0 Preston North End (Championship)
August 2022: Preston North End 0-0 Watford (Championship)
February 2021: Preston North End 0-1 Watford (Championship)
November 2020: Watford 4-1 Preston North End (Championship)
August 2015: Preston North End 1-0 Watford (League Cup)

The Hornets made it six home wins from seven matches at the start of the 2020/21 season with a dominant win over the Lilywhites. Domingos Quina, Troy Deeney, Nathaniel Chalobah and João Pedro were on the scoresheet in a 4-1 victory that saw Watford move up to third in the Championship.