Preston North End vs Arsenal

Deepdale forms the backdrop for a ‘David vs Goliath’ English League Cup tie between Preston North End and Arsenal.

Following a comprehensive 5-0 win against lower-league Harrogate in the opening EFL Cup round, Preston stunned top-flight Fulham on penalties last time out to set up this tie. But despite their heroic performance against the Cottagers, the Lilywhites have only won twice in their subsequent seven Championship outings (D4, L1), including a goal-glutted 3-3 draw against Plymouth at the weekend. However, since a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United on the opening Championship weekend, Paul Heckingbottom’s men have gone into overdrive at Deepdale, racking up an eye-catching seven-game unbeaten home streak in all competitions (W5, D2). Notably, they kept five clean sheets during that sequence, suggesting this won’t be a walk in the park for a more heavily fancied Arsenal.

On the other hand, the Gunners dropped the lead twice in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend, losing further ground on early Premier League leaders Arsenal. Marred by a growing injury crisis, Mikel Arteta’s men have blown hot and cold across their last three competitive outings (W1, D1, L1). However, there’s a silver lining. In addition to trouncing Bolton 5-1 in the previous EFL Cup round, the London giants have emerged victorious from all three H2H meetings with Preston since 1999, netting multiple goals on each occasion. Yet, they can’t afford to take this trip lightly after failing to win on their last three competitive travels (D2, L1).