Blackburn Rovers have been one of the surprise packages of the EFL Championship season and a win in this Lancashire derby with Preston North End would keep them flying high.
After finishing in 19th last term, just three points above the drop zone, few people fancied Rovers to make a promotion push but gaffer John Eustace has got them purring.
Rovers are undefeated after five league games, winning three, and if they keep up this kind of form then fans might start dreaming of a return to the top flight for the first time since 2012.
This is Blackburn's third Lancashire derby in their last four games, after losing to Blackpool in the EFL Cup and drawing with Burnley in a Championship clash that saw two bets land for me.
They will now be looking for a win against a Preston side who have started poorly, with North End hovering just above the drop zone after collecting only four points from five games.
But Paul Heckingbottom's side head into this game on a high after knocking Fulham out of the EFL Cup and will be hoping the momentum from that shoot-out win can inspire them to a much-needed three points.
How the bookies view it: Rovers on a roll
This is a tough one to call but Betano make Blackburn Rovers favourites at 29/20 after their impressive start to the season. Preston North End are priced at 17/10 and the draw pays 11/5.
Recent head to head: Preston have the bragging rights
Preston North End have held the upper hand in this derby of late, winning six of the last 12 meetings and losing just three. Preston won 2-1 at Ewood Park last term but the return clash at Deepdale was a 2-2 draw.
Players to watch: Mads for it
Mads Frokjaer-Jensen grabbed Preston's leveller in their last league game with Middlesbrough and that was his second goal of the season. The Dane is 18/5 with Betano for anytime scorer.
Japanese striker Yuki Ohashi is in fine form for Blackburn, netting five goals already, and looks decent value at 17/10 for another strike here.
Probable line-ups
Heckingbottom made changes for that midweek cup tie, which went all the way to penalties, and may revert to the team that started the last league game. Blackburn look set to be without Harry Pickering, Harry Leonard, Zak Gilsenan and Scott Wharton while Callum Brittain is a doubt.
Preston North End: Woodman, Whatmough, Storey, Hughes, Potts, Whiteman, McCann, Greenwood, Okkels, Riis, Frokjaer-Jensen.
Blackburn Rovers: Pears, Hyam, Batth, Carter, Beck, Tronstad, Dolan, Hedges, Travis, Baker, Ohashi.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams to score has landed in six of Blackburn's seven games so far this season and has also come up in the last three for Preston. That's why it pays just 31/40 with Betano for this derby but adding on over 2.5 goals boosts the odds to 27/20. Over 2.5 strikes on its own also pays a decent 11/10 at Bet365.
The half-time draw is always a good option in a derby game and came up when these sides faced off at Deepdale last term. Backing the score to be level at the break here pays 11/10 at Betfred.
Going for cards could also pay off, with Preston midfielder Ali McCann 9/4 at Bet365 to go in the book and Blackburn's Hayden Carter 13/5 in the same market.
This England Championship match between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers will be played on Sep 22, 2024 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
