Preston North End and Norwich City square off at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon with just five points separating the teams in the Championship standings.
Although the visitors currently hold the final playoff spot, Preston can catapult themselves back into the mix with a win.
Match preview
© Reuters
Given the magnitude of their drop-off in form earlier in the season, Preston have not necessarily been regarded as a genuine playoff contender in recent weeks.
However, that could change on Saturday, Ryan Lowe's side having put themselves into a position where success over the Canaries could prove decisive.
Seven wins and four draws from their last 13 league fixtures have left Preston within five points of their upcoming opponents, who have also played a game more.
Preston have also conceded just twice in their most recent five outings, with one of those goals the opener in the encounter with Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night before they rallied to record a 4-1 victory.
Milutin Osmajic proved to be the star of the show during the closing stages, scoring a quickfire hat-trick that could make all the difference to Preston's season.
Coincidentally, Norwich possess a very similar record to Preston over the past 13 matches, recording eight wins and three draws during that period.
Nevertheless, David Wagner will be frustrated their points return is not better, a consequence of blowing a two-goal lead away at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.
Heading into the final 15 minutes, Norwich were on the brink of opening up a seven-point advantage in the playoff hunt, but their capitulation at Hillsborough has provided encouragement to the chasing pack.
Norwich, by their own high standards, also hold a dismal away record in this season's Championship, accumulating just five wins and 21 points from their 21 fixtures.
Team News
© Reuters
Osmajic appears likely to be recalled to the Preston XI on the back of his hat-trick, with Emil Riis in line to drop to the substitutes' bench.
Alan Browne may also have a part to play in the starting lineup, but Lowe could be prepared to stick with the majority of the team that got over the line against Huddersfield.
With Norwich having been leading at Hillsborough before he made any substitutions, Wagner could stick with the same Norwich side.
However, Liam Gibbs is in line to miss out on the back of needing to be replaced shortly after his introduction in Yorkshire.
If Jonathan Rowe passes a fitness test to return to the squad, the winger will likely be selected on the bench.
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham; Brady, Holmes, McCann, Hughes; Frokjaer-Jensen; Riis, Keane
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Batth, Gibson, McCallum; Nunez, McLean; Sara, Barnes, Sainz; Sargent
We say: Preston North End 1-2 Norwich City
On the back of blowing a lead against Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich's confidence has no doubt taken a knock. Nevertheless, we are backing the Canaries to bounce back with their most important win of the season, one that could prove pivotal in the playoff race.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
