Match Preview – Preston NE (a)

FA Cup 3rd Round
Sat 3rd January 2009 @ 5.25pm
Deepdale Stadium, Preston

Liverpool’s attention turns to the FA Cup, the competition the reds have won 7 times and that Rafa Benitez tasted success with in 2006/7.  Preston are riding high in the Championship and aiming to return to the Premiership so will certainly be no easy challenge.  They are currently 7th having won 10 out of 13 games at home. It has been their away form that has let them down in their quest for Premiership football, having only won twice.

Former Liverpool star Neil Mellor has been their main goalscorer, netting 8 times already this season.

History

Liverpool haven’t played Preston since 1962 when the reds were in the second division in England.  That season as well as two league games, the reds also played Preston in the FA Cup 5th round. A 0-0 at home and then away was only decided in a third game, at Old Trafford, in which Preston knocked the reds out the FA Cup winning 1-0.

Of the 33 games played at Preston, Liverpool have only run out winners 8 times, losing 15 in the process, although the last league meeting at Deepdale in 1961 saw the reds run out 3-1 winners – with Ian Callaghan scoring his first Liverpool goal.

Betting

Liverpool are firm favourites with the bookmakers to win this fixture.

Liverpool 8/15
Draw 7/2
Preston 7/1

Paddy Power are offering an impressive free £20 bet when you place a £10 bet. Sign up here.

TV

This game will be broadcast live in the UK on ITV. Further streams and overseas details in the forum.

Opposition Links

Official Preston North End website

In the Liverpool forum

Preston v Liverpool Pre Match Chat