Crystal Palace v Preston
Posted Monday, April 05, 2010 by BBC.com
Coca Cola Championship
Venue: Selhurst Park Date: Monday, 5 April 2010 Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score & highlights on The Football League Show
TEAM NEWS
Crystal Palace defender Lee Hills is still suspended, but Clint Hill returns to contention after a ban.
Nathaniel Clyne is still out with a hip injury, while fellow right-back Danny Butterfield is nursing a hamstring problem and will be assessed.
Preston look set to be without midfielder Chris Sedgwick, who limped out of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Watford with a knee injury.
Keith Treacy is expected to start in Sedgwick's place.
MATCH PREVIEW
Palace are in the relegation zone but their draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday means they are still breathing down the necks of the sides hovering just above the bottom three - particularly Watford and Sheffield Wednesday.
Eagles boss Paul Hart was delighted with the point at Boro and described his team's performance as "tremendous". Now he will be looking for them to register what would be their second victory in three matches.
A draw at Selhurst Park will be enough for Palace to move above Watford if the Hornets fail to win a tough looking match against title-chasing West Brom, who have scored more goals this season than any other Championship side.
Preston drew at home to Watford on Saturday and are not completely out of danger, despite having 50 points. A win would be their first in six matches, and should be more than enough to ease any lingering relegation worries.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Crystal Palace are unbeaten in seven home matches against Preston, who have been beaten on their last three visits to Selhurst Park.
• Preston's last win there was a 2-0 triumph in March 2001.
Crystal Palace
• Palace have lost their last three at Selhurst Park, and are in danger of their longest losing home league sequence since four in a row in October and November 2006.
• The Eagles have failed to score in 15 Championship games this season. Only fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday have been unable to score in more matches.
• Claude Davis could face his former club.
Preston
• Preston have drawn their last two matches and have won only one of their last eight.
• They are hunting a first victory in seven away games.
• Andy Lonergan, ever-present in goal for Preston in the league this season, is poised to make his 200th club career appearance.
• Sean St Ledger is expected to make his 150th league appearance for North End.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Preston 1-1 Crystal Palace (31 October 2009)
Preston scorer: Wallace 35.
Palace scorer: Ambrose 37.
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