Preston North End play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which would ensure that they remain in the Championship playoffs.

Meanwhile, QPR make the trip to Deepdale having put together an improved run of form, which has created a nine-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone.

Match preview

While Alex Neil will naturally be disappointed that his Preston side have lost three of their last six matches, the Scot will put two of those setbacks into context.

Back-to-back defeats have come at the homes of West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, and Neil will now be focused on attempting to take advantage of five matches in a row against teams who are no higher than 11th position in the standings.

With 12 point now the gap to second-placed Leeds United, automatic promotion is likely out of the question, although that will not stop the North-West outfit from being focused on reducing that gap over the coming weeks.

Goals are proving to be a problem, however, with just one being scored from open play in four outings and just one first-half strike being netted since February 8.

As for QPR, Mark Warburton will be delighted that his side have managed to put together a five-match unbeaten streak on the back of four successive defeats.

Inconsistency has been the story of their season, although Warburton will take heart from his young squad raising their performance at a crucial part of their campaign.

Although there would have been disappointment after failing to hold onto a lead against Birmingham City last weekend, Warburton will be more than content with nine points being recorded over the past month.

However, it is their home form which has got the club out of trouble, with QPR without a victory on their travels since beating Blues on December 11, a run stretching seven matches.

Preston North End Championship form: WWLWLL

Queens Park Rangers Championship form: LDWDWD

Team News

Neil will almost certainly make changes to his Preston XI, which could see Josh Harrop brought back into the starting lineup.

Scott Sinclair will also hope to feature having been restricted to appearances from the substitutes' bench against West Brom and Fulham.

QPR are expected to be without Grant Hall for a second successive fixture due to a back injury.

That should lead to former Liverpool youngster Conor Masterson keeping his place in the team.

Warburton is likely to hand a recall to Todd Kane at right-back, resulting in Angel Rangel dropping down to the replacements.

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

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Kane, Barbet, Masterson, Manning; Cameron, Ball; Samuel, Eze, Pugh; Hugill

We say: Preston North End 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Given Preston's recent efforts in front of goal, we feel that this should turn out to be a low-scoring encounter. However, home advantage could prove key, with Neil's men finding an extra gear during the closing stages to claim all three points.