Preview: Preston North End vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

While the visitors remain in third position in the Championship standings, Preston are down in 13th spot after suffering another defeat last time out.

Match preview

Even with the season only reaching the halfway stage, Leeds would have been under the impression that defeat to second-placed Ipswich on Saturday could prove pivotal in the automatic promotion race.

In response, Daniel Farke's side produced arguably their best display of the season, scoring four times in the opening 52 minutes to ruthlessly dispatch the Tractor Boys.

Although the gap to seventh place has only been reduced to seven points, it represented a statement of intent against their direct rivals and generated considerable momentum heading into the turn of the year.

Leeds' unbeaten run at Elland Road was subsequently extended to 12 points, but more work is required on their travels with just five wins coming from 11 games.

Despite their recent success at Blackburn Rovers, Leeds have fallen short at each of Rotherham United and Sunderland of late, something that will only hand encouragement to Preston.

Ryan Lowe and his squad are in desperate need of that after losing five of their most recent seven fixtures to drop into the bottom half of the table.

When 1-0 up to Watford, Lowe would have been feeling positive about his team's trajectory, only for them to lose that particular game 5-1 and then succumb to Swansea City on their travels.

Their Welsh hosts scored the winner in a 2-1 victory in the closing stages, heaping further frustration on Lowe, yet Preston remain just the four points adrift of the playoffs.

That will soon change if they keep failing to post wins - just three have come in 16 games - and Lowe's role at Deepdale may start to come under threat if he cannot instigate a turnaround.

Preston North End Championship form:

L

L

D

W

L

L

Leeds United Championship form:

W

W

W

L

D

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Liam Millar appears likely to return to the Preston XI after scoring as a substitute in the defeat at Swansea, the expectation being that he will replace Robbie Brady at left wing-back.

Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Milutin Osmajic may also feature in the final third, but Lowe could opt against making wholesale changes to a team that only lost in South Wales to a 94th minute goal.

Having been able to rest players during the closing stages against Ipswich, Farke could keep the same Leeds XI for the trip to the North-West.

If an alteration is made, Wilfried Gnonto could replace Daniel James, but the Welsh winger is more likely to keep his spot.

Stuart Dallas, Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton all remain on the sidelines.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Cornell; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, McCann, Ledson, Millar; Frokjaer-Jensen, Browne; Osmajic

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Struijk, Spence; Ampadu, Kamara, James, Piroe, Summerville; Rutter

We say: Preston North End 1-4 Leeds United

While Preston may feel that they can play with a certain level of freedom on Boxing Day, that may not necessarily help them. Leeds appear to be building momentum, leading us to predict a comprehensive win for the Yorkshire giants.

Previews by email