Our prediction for this Championship match:
Oakwell will host Saturday’s football game between Barnsley and Preston, the two teams who have little to play for in the season finale. Barnsley are having a nightmare season, with the team failing to secure the Championship survival, while Preston occupy 16th place in the standings. The rock-bottom side are low on spirits ahead of Matchday 45, with the team losing each of their last three league fixtures, and given their shaky defence, home win should not be considered.
Both Michal Helik and Aapo Halme are sidelined with injuries for the home team. The Lilywhites, on the other hand, head into the match following back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Blackburn. Preston, though, are seen as favourites to win Saturday’s clash, and they should take advantage of Barnsley’s shaky defence. All Ryan Ledson, Ched Evans, Tom Barkhuizen, and Isaiah Brown are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Greg Cunningham):
Greg Cunningham is a product of Manchester City football academy. Irish footballer, who was born on January 31, 1991 in Galway, though, made no more than two appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League. After ending his loan spells with Leicester City and Nottingham Forest the defender moved to Bristol City in 2012 and he played for the Robins from 2012 to 2015.
Creg Cunningham did well to win the Football League Trophy with Bristol City in the 2014/2015 season, but at the end of the season he moved to Preston North End. The Irish footballer has established himself as a first-team regular at Preston and it has to be noted that he was appointed captain of the team on July 24, 2017.
Speaking of his international career, Greg Cunningham made his debut for Republic of Ireland on May 28, 2010 in a 3-0 win over Algeria. His main position is left-back, but he is capable of playing as a centre-back if needed as well.
Highlighted Team (Preston):
Preston North End or Preston were founded in 1880. The Lilywhites or the Invincibles play their home games at Deepdale, the stadium that was built in 1875 and opened three years later.
In 1889 Preston won their first FA Cup trophy and they did well to beat Huddersfield Town in the final of the 1938 FA Cup final. However, the club’s biggest success came in 1889 and 1890 when they won back-to-back domestic trophies (First Division).
Preston have yet to win the League Cup title, but they were runners-up in 1888, 1922, 1937, 1954, 1964. Preston’s main rivals are Blackpool and the two teams square off against each other in the West Lancashire derby. In their first ever meeting in the West Lancashire derby (1901) Preston recorded a 4-1 win over Blackpool.
Burnley and Blackburn Rovers are considered Preston’s big rivals as well. The colour of Preston’s shirts is white and they wear dark blue shorts.