EFL pundit predicts what will happen in Preston North End v Blackburn Rovers - score prediction made | OneFootball

Preston North End will host Blackburn Rovers on Friday evening

EFL Pundit Sam Parkin has predicted a 1-1 draw between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers in the Lancashire derby.

The two sides will return to action ahead of the rest of the Championship with a Friday night fixture at Deepdale.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side will come into the game with form on their side, with the Lilywhite unbeaten in their last four, winning three and drawing their most recent match away at Millwall.

Meanwhile, Blackburn are fighting near the bottom of the table, with Valerien Ismael’s side struggling for consistent results.

However, they have fared better on the road so far this season, earning four of their five wins in the league away from Ewood Park.

Sam Parkin issues Preston v Blackburn scoreline prediction

Parkin has highlighted Blackburn’s away form, and Andri Gudjohnsen’s recent run of three goals from his last four appearances as the threat that they possess against Preston.

The former Swindon Town and Ipswich Town forward-turned-pundit believes that Ismael’s side can earn a point at Deepdale in the first Lancashire derby of the Championship season, although he could also still see a victory for the hosts if someone is to gain all three points.

“Ok, I see low-scoring, I know Blackburn have had a couple of good away wins recently, Leicester springs to mind,” said Parkin, via Benjamin Bloom’s YouTube channel.

“Gudjohnsen’s started scoring, hasn’t he?

“It’s a draw or a Preston win, I think, considering it’s at Deepdale.

“I’m going to side with caution back from the break, 1-1.”

Heckingbottom’s team have made a strong start to the season, and are in contention for a top six finish in these early stages.

The Lilywhites have earned 26 points from their opening 15 fixtures, leaving them fourth in the table going into Friday’s meeting.

Victory over Blackburn will see Preston move up to second in the standings, at least temporarily, as this is the first fixture of the weekend.

However, Rovers will be keen to earn a result of their own as they look to climb the table and move away from the relegation zone, with only six points separating them in 19th from Sheffield United in 22nd going into Friday night’s 8pm kick-off.

Preston victory would be a real show of strength in their promotion push

Blackburn may sit 19th in the table, but their recent form away from home has seen them earn wins over the likes of Leicester, Hull City, Bristol City and Watford, so they are not to be under-estimated.

If Preston can secure a victory, then they would move up to second going into Saturday and it would really prove their credentials in the battle for promotion.

Blackburn have only drawn a game once all season, and it came at home, so a 1-1 result would likely make both sets of supporters feel okay.

However, Heckingbottom is a veteran coach and knows well what a promotion battle is like, so he will recognise this is a big opportunity for the team going into such a crucial part of the campaign.