Oxford vs Preston North End Prediction: PNE’s resurgence to continue

After three defeats on the bounce, two of which came against Coventry, Oxford United will resume their quest to stay in the Championship with a home game against Preston North End on Saturday (15:00). The U’s have three points on the board, while their visitors are looking more positive under new manager Paul Heckingbottom. 

They followed up their win against Luton Town with 5-0 success in the Carabao Cup at Harrogate, and the mood has truly lifted at Deepdale over the past week. Below you can find my Oxford vs Preston North End prediction for this Championship encounter.

Team News

Oxford actually named a reasonably strong side in the midweek 1-0 defeat to the Sky Blues, with Cameron Brannagan and Ciaron Brown both starting. However, star striker Mark Harris only came off the bench late on so will be fresh to return, as will Ruben Rodrigues and Tyler Goodrham. 

Preston have found another gear under Heckingbottom and also rang the changes for their Carabao Cup tie. Milutin Osmajic scored a hat-trick and Sam Greenwood bagged a brace, but it remains to be seen as to whether that will be enough to displace Will Keane or Emil Riis Jakobsen from the usual starting line-up. They will certainly be called upon off the bench. 

Oxford vs Preston North End Odds

Oxford are 13/10 to win this game, with Preston available at 7/4. A draw can be backed at 9/4, over 2.5 goals is 1/1 and BTTS is 4/5.

Preston to win @ 7/4 

Things just feel different about PNE now. I was seriously concerned about them under Ryan Lowe, but having acted decisively after just one game, they have now won their last two without conceding. Heckingbottom is a talented coach and knows how to improve players, while the squad, some of whom were clearly unhappy under their former boss, seem to have stepped up a level. 

They’ve got four attackers, who I have just touched upon, to rotate between, while the midfield of Ben Whiteman and Stefan Teitur Thordarson are tough and competitive. They should be able to get the better of an Oxford side who did well in their last home game against Norwich, but have struggled to put their stamp on matches since then. PNE are heading up the table under Heckingbottom, and I think they will get three points here. 

Football Odds

Will Keane to score first @ 13/2

Honestly, Will Keane is far from my favourite striker in the league – but he does have the attributes to score goals in the second tier. He is also benefitting from Heckingbottom’s more positive style and will want to keep hold of his place after impressive performances from both Osmajic and Greenwood against Harrogate Town. 

He scored the first and only goal of the game in his last start against Luton, and I think we are getting great odds for him to find the net first against an Oxford side that has looked a little short defensively at this level. 

Offers

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