Preston Vs Burnley

A fierce Lancashire derby is set to unfold at Deepdale this Saturday lunchtime as Preston North End prepare to go head-to-head with Burnley in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

This historic fixture marks the 144th encounter between these two sides, whose rivalry dates back to the inaugural day of the Football League in September 1888—a match that saw Preston emerge victorious with a 5-2 scoreline. However, despite their long-standing history, this will be the first occasion that these two clubs clash in the FA Cup.

Preston, currently facing a dip in form, will be eager to shift their focus from Championship struggles to FA Cup aspirations. Since their previous encounter with Burnley, which ended in a goalless draw on February 15, Paul Heckingbottom’s men have endured a challenging spell. A 1-1 draw against Millwall was followed by a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Coventry City last weekend, further extending their winless streak to three games in the league.

Their most recent setback, despite a late strike from Will Keane in the 82nd minute, saw them succumb to their 10th Championship loss of the campaign. As a result, Preston currently find themselves in 15th place in the league table, nine points adrift of the playoff spots, with only 12 games remaining in the season. A finish in mid-table for the tenth consecutive season seems increasingly likely for the Lilywhites, who will now be aiming to put their league frustrations aside and push for an FA Cup quarter-final berth—a feat they have not achieved since the 1965-66 season. They have exited at this stage of the competition on six occasions since then and will be hoping to break that pattern this time around.

Heckingbottom’s side progressed to the fifth round by overcoming two League One opponents on home turf. Their campaign began with a 2-1 victory against Charlton Athletic in the third round, followed by a dramatic penalty shootout win against Wycombe Wanderers in round four after a goalless stalemate in extra time. Having secured the FA Cup title twice in their history, Preston will now prepare for a third meeting with Burnley this season. Their two previous encounters in the Championship have both ended in goalless draws, and never before have these teams played out three stalemates against the same opposition in a single campaign.

Burnley, on the other hand, approach this fixture in red-hot form under the guidance of Scott Parker. The Clarets have been unbeaten in their last 23 matches across all competitions since their last defeat on November 3 of the previous year. This exceptional run has seen them register 14 victories and nine draws, reinforcing their credentials as one of the strongest teams in the second tier.

Defensive solidity has been a hallmark of Parker’s team, with Burnley conceding a mere nine league goals across 34 matches. This record is unmatched by any English club and even surpasses the defensive performances of teams in the top two divisions of Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. Their most recent outing saw them claim a commanding 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, marking their 12th consecutive clean sheet and 24th shutout of the season.

The resounding win against Sheffield Wednesday was a welcome sight for Burnley’s home supporters, as it was only the fourth time this season that Parker’s men triumphed by a margin of three goals or more. With automatic promotion to the Premier League firmly within their sights, Burnley currently sit third in the Championship table, just two points shy of second-placed Sheffield United.

Before returning to league duties against bottom-placed Luton Town, Burnley will focus on their FA Cup campaign, where they aim to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in three seasons. The Clarets, who last won the prestigious competition in the 1913-14 season, have already demonstrated their ability to win on the road in this year’s tournament. Their third-round fixture saw them defeat Reading 3-1 after extra time, while a narrow 1-0 victory against Southampton secured their place in the fifth round.

However, Burnley’s track record in this stage of the competition has been far from impressive in recent years. They have suffered elimination in six of their last seven FA Cup fifth-round ties, a statistic they will be determined to overturn when they step onto the pitch at Deepdale this Saturday.

With Preston struggling for form and Burnley riding the momentum of a formidable unbeaten streak, this Lancashire derby promises to be an intense battle. While the hosts will be looking to defy the odds and secure a historic quarter-final berth, the visitors will be intent on continuing their remarkable defensive run and pushing one step closer to FA Cup glory. Regardless of the outcome, an enthralling contest awaits as two historic clubs reignite their rivalry in a high-stakes encounter.