Preston North End vs Sunderland Prediction: Preston have been unable to secure a win in their past four games

Preston North End is set to host Sunderland on Monday at Deepdale. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes? 

After losing 4-1 at Bramall Lane, Preston have fallen short of the playoffs by five points due to conceding 10 goals in their final three away games. The team's failure to replicate their seven-game unbeaten home run form in their away matches was especially disappointing. In the last few weeks, the team's resilience and determination have been evident in their last two home games, where they scored injury-time goals and won a match and drew another. Although Preston's home performances have improved recently, their initial 15 home games of the season saw them secure just 13 points.

Woodman; Storey, Bauer, Hughes; Potts, Ledson, Onomah, Johnson, Alvaro Fernandez; Parrott, Cannon

Sunderland's hopes of finishing in the top six of the Championship are dependent on them winning their final match in Lancashire. Additionally, the Black Cats need either Coventry City to lose or Millwall to draw. They also need to prevent West Bromwich Albion from winning by four goals more than them. Though Sunderland's chances of making the playoffs are low, it would be a remarkable achievement for them to extend their season and become only the fourth team to win back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

Sunderland has been one of the most impressive teams in the league this season. They are the first newly-promoted team in almost a decade to reach 65 goals. Despite having to win a match at a ground where they have not won since 2003, Sunderland enters the game in good form, having remained unbeaten in their last eight games. This has been aided by some impressive results away from home, with the team having secured ten points from a possible twelve on the road, and they have kept three clean sheets in the process. The only goal they have conceded in their last four away games was a penalty against West Brom. In contrast, Preston's hopes of reaching the playoffs were dashed by Sheffield United last weekend. This is due to a series of three consecutive away defeats.

Patterson; Gooch, Hume, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Pritchard, Amad; Roberts, Gelhardt, Clarke

Preston have been unable to secure a win in their past four games, with four defeats in the process. Despite this, they have been unbeaten in their last seven home games and will be eager to compete in the upcoming game. On the other hand, Sunderland has remained unbeaten in their last eight matches after losing four out of their previous five games. They have won their last two matches on the road and are in a good position to continue their streak this week. We expect more than 2.5 goals in the game.