Cardiff v Preston. Match preview

Last updated : 31 January 2017 By Michael Morris

C:WindowsTempphpEABD.tmpCardiff hope to have top scorer Anthony Pilkington back for the Sky Bet Championship visit of Preston.

Eight-goal Pilkington missed the defeats at Brighton and Reading after picking up an injury against Burton on January 21.

Peter Whittingham and Kadeem Harris will come into contention should Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock decide to freshen things up for Cardiff's fourth game in 10 days.

But veteran striker Rickie Lambert could miss out with a back injury again, amid speculation over his future at the club.

Preston boss Simon Grayson could hand on-loan Tyias Browning his debut as his new team-mates make the trip to the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Everton defender joined the Lilywhites on Monday on a temporary switch until the end of the season and is in line to play some part in south Wales.

Full-back Greg Cunningham has served a two-match suspension after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season in the 2-0 victory over Brighton earlier this month and is set to come straight back into the starting line-up.

John Welsh is back in training but is not match-fit as he steps up his recovery from a long-term calf injury while Calum Woods and Alex Baptiste (both knee) remain on the sidelines.

 

Match facts

  • Cardiff have won four and drawn three of their last seven home league meetings with Preston.
  • Preston's last away win at Cardiff came in November 2004 at Ninian Park, with Youl Mawene scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.
  • All of Cardiff's nine Championship wins this season have come by a one-goal margin; their last league win by more than one goal was against Bristol City in March 2016 (2-0).
  • The Lilywhites have only lost one of their last nine away league games (W4 D4).