The FA Cup fifth round brings an exciting Lancashire derby as Preston North End hosts Burnley in a crucial lunchtime kickoff. With a spot in the quarter-finals on the line, both teams will be eager to make history in their first-ever FA Cup clash. The match kicks off at 12:15 PM and will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer.
Match Preview & Team News
These historic clubs, who first faced each other in the inaugural Football League season of 1888, are set for their 142nd meeting. However, this will be their first encounter in the FA Cup. With Burnley pushing for promotion and Preston safely positioned in mid-table, team selection could play a key role in deciding the outcome.
For Preston, manager Paul Heckingbottom is expected to field his strongest available squad. However, injuries continue to be a concern. Mads Fronkjaer-Jensen remains doubtful after missing the last match against Coventry, while Duane Holmes, Jordan Storey, and Jack Whatmough are all sidelined. Ben Whiteman has also been absent for over a month.
Burnley, meanwhile, will be forced into defensive changes due to injuries. Jordan Beyer is out long-term, and Bashir Humphreys remains a doubt. Aaron Ramsey is edging closer to a return but isn’t expected to start, while Mike Tresor is still unavailable. Manager Scott Parker may rotate his squad slightly, giving opportunities to the likes of Vaclav Hladky in goal and Manuel Benson, who recently returned from injury.
Betting Odds & Key Predictions
Preston enters the match as underdogs, priced at 13/5 for a win in 90 minutes, reflecting a 27% implied probability. Burnley, with their superior league position and defensive strength, is favored at 5/4, while a draw is available at 21/10.
Burnley to Keep a Clean Sheet @ 5/4
Burnley’s defensive record has been nothing short of phenomenal, keeping 12 consecutive clean sheets in the Championship. Even with a few potential changes at the back, their well-drilled system under Scott Parker remains a major strength. Given that they have already shut out Preston twice this season, another clean sheet seems a strong possibility.
Preston 0-0 Burnley @ 6/1
A goalless draw has been a recurring theme between these two sides. Both of their league meetings this season ended 0-0, and Preston has seen a high number of drawn matches at home, with eight of their last twelve fixtures ending level. Meanwhile, Burnley has played out four goalless stalemates in their last nine games. With the added tension of knockout football and the possibility of extra time, another scoreless affair is on the cards.
Final Thoughts
This FA Cup battle is set to be a tight, tactical contest, with Burnley’s defensive resilience clashing against Preston’s determination to cause an upset. While history favors another low-scoring encounter, cup ties often produce surprises. Will Burnley’s backline hold firm again, or can Preston break their streak and make history?
Prediction: Preston 0-1 Burnley
