Preston North End host Millwall at Deepdale on Saturday in an intriguing clash between two sides hoping to secure a spot in the Championship playoffs.

Alex Neil's side are currently in sixth place but are only ahead of Bristol City on goal difference, and a further seven points clear of Gary Rowett's Millwall.

Match preview

Preston are one of the Championship's form sides having taken 13 points from their last five matches, a feat that no other side in the division has matched.

Goals from Alan Browne and Tom Barkhuizen helped them beat Stoke City 2-1 in midweek and they are now just three points adrift of second-placed Leeds United.

With 47 goals in the league so far this season, a number only bettered by three sides, Preston have been a potent force in front of goal and have seen Daniel Johnson and Barkhuizen contributing on a regular basis from midfield.

Their record at Deepdale is also the best in the league, with the Lilywhites taking 33 points from 16 matches and losing just three times.

Preston have been far weaker on the road though and lost the reverse fixture 1-0 thanks to a first half Jed Wallace winner.

Despite the outstanding form of Wallace this season, with 10 goals and nine assists, his side are at risk of slipping out of the playoff picture following a run of two points from their last four league fixtures.

Defeats to top two Leeds and West Bromwich Albion have set them back, while a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham in their last match was a big blow to their playoff hopes.

However, after this match Millwall only have one more fixture against a side in the top six, which should help them climb the table.

Preston North End Championship form: DWWDWW

Millwall Championship form: DWLDLD
Millwall form (all competitions): WLLDLD

Team News

Republic of Ireland forward Sean Maguire is at risk of being dropped to the bench following a run of 11 Championship matches without a goal.

Elsewhere, Josh Harrop could return on the wing after missing the win against Stoke, while Connor Ripley, Billy Bodin, Tom Bayliss and Louis Moult have all been ruled out.

Ryan Leonard is fit to play after coming off the bench against Fulham, while Connor Mahoney could also return to the starting lineup.

Rowett used a three-at-the-back system on Wednesday but is expected to go back to his regular 4-4-2 against Preston.

The South London club's only injury concerns are goalkeeper Frank Fielding and midfielder Ben Thompson.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Rudd; Fisher, Bauer, Davies, Hughes; Pearson, Browne, Johnson; Harrop, Barkhuizen, Sinclair

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Romeo, Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace; Wallace, Woods, Molumby, Mahoney; Bodvarsson, Bradshaw

We say: Preston North End 2-1 Millwall

Preston are one of the form sides in the Championship and the division's best home side, so they should have enough against Millwall. With the playoffs in the sights of Neil's team, they should not slip up in this one.