Match Pack: Saints vs Preston
It's back to St Mary's on Wednesday for the first of a double-header this week, with Preston visiting first in the Sky Bet Championship. Get prepared for the clash with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Preston
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary’s Stadium
Wednesday 6th March, 7.45pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Ben Toner
Assistants: Rob Smith, George Byrne
Fourth official: Gavin Ward
WHERE TO WATCH
Tuesday night's game is live on Saints Play available worldwide, including the UK and Ireland, with a video pass priced at £10:
Alternatively, fans can purchase an audio pass which will cover the month for £4.49:
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Having got back to winning ways in dramatic style at Birmingham on Saturday, Saints will want to build momentum in the first of two games on home soil this week.
With the promotion race still wide open, with Russell Martin's side making ground back on Leicester and Leeds at the weekend, a Preston side unbeaten in seven stand in the way of three points on Wednesday.
Ryan Lowe's side sit three points outside the play-offs and will be heading south for the first league encounter at St Mary's since 2009.
TEAM NEWS
Wednesday will come too soon for Kyle Walker-Peters, who missed last weekend's trip to Birmingham with a quad injury.
Ryan Fraser will be out until the end of the month, with Ross Stewart and Juan Larios remaining longer-term absentees.
THE MANAGERS
Russell Martin: "We’re meeting them at a difficult time because they’re in a really great place, so I think we know what to expect. They’re very physical, very strong, athletic, powerful, and really good at what they do and the way they play."
Ryan Lowe: To follow.
TOP SCORERS
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 17
Ché Adams 12
Ryan Fraser 8
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 11
Stuart Armstrong 6
Ché Adams 5
Preston
Goals:
Will Keane 12
Holmes, Millar, Browne, Riis, Osmajic 4
Frökjaer-Jensen, Whiteman, Lindsay 3
Assists:
Holmes, Millar, Frökjaer-Jensen 5
Alan Browne 3
Keane, Riis, Osmajic, Whiteman, Hughes 2
ONES TO WATCH
Joe Aribo: Back to his best after returning from AFCON, Aribo was Saints' super sub on Saturday, netting the 96th minute winner at Birmingham.
Ahead of a second game of three in the space of seven days, Russell Martin could be tempted to freshen up his midfield in midweek.
Emil Riis: With Preston seven games unbeaten, Riis has been a standout performer with four goals and two assists.
In the Lilywhites' last away outing, Riis came away with a goal and an assist in the 3-0 win at Coventry.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 43
Saints: 15
Draws: 14
Preston: 14
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
October 2023: Preston 2-2 Saints (Walker-Peters, Evans OG)
September 2011: Saints 2-1 Preston (Hooiveld, Lallana) League Cup
February 2009: Saints 3-1 Preston (Saganowski 2, Surman)
November 2008: Preston 2-3 Saints (Pearce, Surman, McGoldrick)
December 2007: Saints 0-1 Preston
DID YOU KNOW?
Saints are unbeaten in their last three league games against Preston North End (W2 D1), including a 3-1 win the last time they hosted the Lilywhites at St Mary’s in February 2009.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Unable to make it to St Mary's? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints host Preston.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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