Preston looking to return to promotion playoff places

Two consecutive wins have revived hopes that Preston North End could make the Championship promotion playoffs. The Lilywhites sit seventh in the league, just three points back of the final playoff position. The team is unbeaten in its last four matches, and Saturday's fixture against Brentford could see Preston move past Bristol City in the table.

Preston manager Alex Neil should go into Saturday's away match in a positive mood. Preston have the fourth best road record. The team has secured 24 points from a possible 45 away from Deepdale. In addition, Preston are unbeaten in their last seven away fixtures. Overall, Preston are undefeated in 13 of their last 14 games in the league.

Perhaps the biggest problem with Preston's promotion push now, is the recent selling of star forward Jordan Hugill. The club cashed in on the centre-forward in January. Hugill had scored eight goals in 27 matches for Preston. The player tallied 22% of the team's goals in 2017-18, and his sale leaves a gap in front of goal for a team that hasn't scored often this term.

Preston have tallied just 37 goals. It is the lowest total of any Championship side in the top 12. Tom Barkhuizen and Callum Robinson have scored five and four goals, respectively. However, Preston need one of those two players to step up and reach double-digits, if the team is going to make the playoffs.

Preston only score 1.2 goals per match. Over the team's last six games, Preston have tallied 10 goals. The team averages 52% possession per match, and one of the reasons the Lilywhites have been so good is because they hold onto the ball. Their timely defending has also helped. Preston have conceded just 29 goals, which is good for sixth in the Championship.

Saturday's opponents Brentford were a promotion playoff hopeful. However, the Bees have slipped with two consecutive losses. Currently 11th, Brentford are eight points away from sixth place, and another year in the Championship looks likely. The Bees are +3 in goals and the team has recorded a 54.7% possession rate this term. Both clubs will attempt to keep the ball in Saturday's fixture, which could lead to a draw.

Brentford will be without attacker Sergi Canos. The Spanish player is suspended for the match and his omission could come as a blow to the Bees. Canos' discipline has been abysmal, and his loss hurts the team's attacking threat.

Despite Preston being in better form, Bretford have won three of the last four fixtures between them. The Bees have also scored plenty of goals in that time frame. Brentford have tallied 15 goals to Preston's five.

It will be a close game at Griffin Park and the draw seems rather likely.