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Match: Preston North End v Leeds United
Date: April 2019
Time: 15.00 BST, 10.00 EDT, 11.00 ART
Venue: Deepdale, Preston, England
Television: Sky Sports Action in Ireland & the UK
Streaming: Sky Sports GO in the UK & Ireland; iFollow or LUTV overseas
Check livesoccertv for additional information.
All-time Record: Leeds v Preston: 21W 12D 25L
Reverse Fixture: 18 September 2018: Leeds 3-0 Preston
Leeds United travel to Deepdale to take on Preston North End, looking to get out of the playoff spots while Preston are looking to nick a place in the playoffs, as the Lancashire club sits on 57 points, in 10th place and only five points out of a playoff spot. Leeds are on 76 points and are in third place, only one point behind Sheffield United.
A win by Leeds would see them overtake the Blades, as Sheffield United will face off against Birmingham City at St Andrews on Wednesday night.
| Marcelo provides an update on the side to face Preston: "There are possibilities that Pablo can't play the game. Roofe will go in his position if Pablo can't play."
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 8, 2019
The biggest talking point going into the match is the fitness of Pablo Hernandez. The Spaniard took a knock against Birmingham last Saturday, and while he was wearing a protective boot, it was rumoured to only be precautionary.
Leeds have won games this season without Hernandez in the lineup, but it wasn’t easy and it will be difficult for Leeds to show the same composure on the ball without Hernandez in the lineup. Kemar Roofe is fit again, and while he’s been Leeds leading scorer this season, him playing on the wing isn’t to his strengths. Roofe is best when played up front, as he is a more natural poacher than anyone else in the team.
Tyler Roberts burned Preston for two goals the last time these two teams met at Elland Road back in September, so it will be good to see if Roberts can pick up where he left off and bag a goal or two this time around. While this isn’t necessarily a “must win” match for Leeds, it’s getting to the point of the season where Leeds need to win out, or at least not lose any matches, if the team is to achieve its goal of automatic promotion.