March
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T -7 and counting. Seven games to go. The hardest of which would appear to be the game at Deepdale tomorrow. Preston are odds on for promotion, if they win then Cardiff will be odds on for relegation. Every remaining game is a like a cup final for City, there have been upsets in cup finals. Don't write the underdogs off just yet.

I dont have exact team news yet but City have travelled with an 18 man squad to Preston. They left Ninian Park this morning. They are Hallworth, Legg, Perrett, Eckhardt, Young, Faerber, Ford, Brazier, Bonner, Carpenter, Bowen, Fowler, Nogan, Nugent, Hill, Brayson, Low and Kelly.

The line up for the postponed game at Gillingham included Scott Young at right back and Nugent returning to partner Nogan up front. I think the same may happen but I would prefer to see Faerber keep his place.

City need to go and try to win the game, if they sit back in the hope of a 0 - 0 draw they will get slaughtered. Billy must play 4 - 4 - 2 with Nogan returning to his former club, and Nugent leading the attack. There was a bad taste left after the transfer of Nogan to cardiff. Both parties blaming the other for the delay in the transfer. That will add extra spice to what will be a very passionate game. A classic top v bottom all or nothing clash.

For Preston team news I have taken this article from Teamtalk.com.
Michael Jackson has not broken his nose and should be OK for Saturday's game but Sean Gregan is touch and go with a sore back. Jackson suffered a facial injury during the mid-week win at Wigan when he was inadvertently kicked in the face just before the hour mark but medical examinations have revealed no broken bones.
"It's a bit sore and a bit of a mess but Michael is confident of making Saturday," claims a club spokesman.
However, the news is not so clear with regard to skipper Sean Gregan. The influential midfielder is currently laid low after taking a raking kick in the back at the JJB Stadium.
The midfielder has complained of pains in his kidneys and North End will wait until Saturday morning before making a decision on his fitness.
North End will give Gregan maximum recovery time but don't expect David Moyes to take a big gamble with five matches still left after the clash with Cardiff.

Preston go into this game after a fantastic 1 - 0 win at Wigan on Wednesday. That put then 7 points clear and are coating for promotion. They will not want to slip up tomorrow but we must hope that Billy's hero's (corny OK) can pull off one of the shocks of the season. After the 0 - 4 drubbing at Ninian Park only the most rose tinted of spectacle wearers would think we have half a chance.

My colleagues at Carling Opta have produced the following stats for the game tomorrow.