Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End go head-to-head in the Lancashire Derby at Ewood Park on Friday night (November 10).
Both sides meet in their final game before the November international break, and bragging rights are at stake in the county. North End got four points from a possible six from Blackburn last season, and they were 4-1 victors the last time they travelled there.
In PNE's last match they defeated Coventry City 3-2 in front of their home supporters at Deepdale. Haji Wright put the Sky Blues in front but Duane Holmes quickly responded and then just a few minutes later Alan Browne scored a penalty to give the hosts the lead. Milutin Osmajic then got in on the act, and but for Wright's second goal of the game, it was a straight-forward victory for Ryan Lowe's men.
Last time out Blackburn won 3-1 against Norwich City at Carrow Road as they put behind them their disappointment against Chelsea and Swansea City. Tyrhys Dolan opened the scoring and then Sammie Szmodics got a brace inside 50 minutes to make for a convincing victory in East Anglia.
Ahead of kick-off, four places separate the two sides, and there is just three points between the two. North End are in sixth whilst Rovers are in 10th, and a victory on Friday night for Blackburn would see them overtake their local rivals, whilst PNE could go up to fourth.
Flick through to see which players are doubtful, and the others who won't play a part on Friday night. In the gallery, there are some explanations from Jon Dahl Tomasson and Ryan Lowe as to where some of the players are at in their recovery.
1. Emil Riis Jakobsen
Sidelined since January with a knee injury. He's suffered a few setbacks when closing in on a return, but his path is much clearer now. Photo: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
2. Emil Riis Jakobsen - out (continued)
He's not far off," said Lowe on November 9 "He's champing at the bit in there. He's obviously had a little bit of a clear out in his knee, a few weeks ago. "Hopefully we'll get him back on the grass after the international break. "He'll hopefully be back around the Christmas period, which would be a nice Christmas present for him, me and all of us." Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
3. Joe Rankin-Costello - out
A major blow for Blackburn Rovers is that Joe Rankin-Costello is to face three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. He came off against Norwich City, and now the full extent of his injury has been revealed. Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
4. Joe Rankin-Costello - out
"The latest one is a huge blow, Rankin-Costello will be out for a long time, about three months," said Jon Dahl Tomasson to the Lancashire Telegraph. He will not require surgery from the initial scan, but could be out until February at the very least.