Preston North End extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to four matches on Boxing Day when they secured a valuable and creditable point in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road against Leeds United.
After having suffered a worrying 4-match losing streak which left Preston wobbling and their play-off hopes hanging in the balance, Sunday’s hosts have since steadied the ship by recording back-to-back home wins against Fulham and Luton Town both in 2-1 victories while also picking up points on the road with draws at Cardiff City and aforementioned Leeds United.
Although results away from home continue to elude Alex Neil’s side, Preston have been pretty consistent at Deepdale where they’ve won 4 of their last 5 matches which includes victories over Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Fulham and Luton Town.
Indeed, Preston have lost just 1 of their last 14 matches on home turf in the Championship and this impressive sequence of results includes winning 10 of these 14 matches as well, so momentum is well and truly in Preston’s favour ahead of this clash.
Reading’s revival continued under manager, Mark Bowen, on Boxing Day as The Royals grabbed a vital 1-0 home win against QPR which became Reading’s second win on the trot following a 3-0 romp against downward-spiralling Derby County, with both wins being achieved at their Madejski Stadium.
Reading also picked up points on the road at Barnsley and Stoke City in 1-1 and 0-0 draws respectively, and the visitors have generally held their own on the road since Bowen took over the reigns at the Berkshire club.
However, the harsh reality for Reading is that The Royals have won just 1 of their last 8 matches on their travels this season in the Championship while the bigger picture also indicates problems on the road for Reading as they’ve captured just 2 wins out of their last 16 matches away from home.
In addition, with just 3 clean sheets from their last 16 away matches on the road in the Championship, Reading look to have their work cut out ahead of this difficult looking trip up to Lancashire to face a solid Preston North End outfit in their own backyard at Deepdale.
Preston should therefore take the spoils here.