After a tricky Easter weekend of fixtures against teams striding to beat the drop to League One, North End take on another side who are trying to steer themselves away from the relegation zone.
Darren Ferguson's men are currently sitting in 17th place, two points away from 52 points, the total that is considered as the safety mark. However, dropped points against Watford and Crystal Palace last week has seen Darren Ferguson's men a little too close to the danger zone.
If last week's game was a 'cup final' then there is far more imputes on the Lilywhites this weekend when they host Scunthorpe. Three points on the weekend will give North End some breathing space and keep the visitors in the mix at the foot of the table.
Despite all of this though, Ferguson has hinted in his pre-match press that there may be a few changes in store for the Lilywhites this weekend with a few of the younger players possibly being introduced to get North End back to winning ways.
Regardless of which players are picked to face the Irons, both sets of manager are focused on a victory in order to give their sides a huge amount of breathing space from the bottom three.
Preston North End versus Scunthorpe United
Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday 10th April 2010
Deepdale
Gaffers Views
"It is a big game. We have been saying in the last few weekends that we need the win to get us over the line and we are still saying it. It is not an ideal situation but it is one we have got to get one with. We need to remain positive and hopefully get the win on Saturday.
"I have been here long enough, different permutations have been tried so we might have to go a different way and start bringing in a couple of young lads. I have said from day one that I want youth players to come in so maybe it is time to do it now.
"The results haven't been good enough so I have got to try and look at doing something different. I have got to look at things we are doing and what we are working on, different ideas I have got so we will put it into practice and see how we get on.
"I am without Ross Wallace, Sedge and it looks like Darren Carter as well. Danny Mayor is fit which is a bonus because we know what he brings to the team with his pace and energies. We will have to take a look at it but no-one should be surprised if I change a few things."
The Opposition
Scunthorpe United are currently occupying 19th spot in the Championship, just two points ahead of Sheffield Wednesday who lie third to bottom.
United do currently have a game in hand on the Owls and have recently had a good run of form, winning three games in a row against Plymouth Argyle, Peterborough United and Sheffield United.
However, defeats in their last two games against Play-Off hopefuls Swansea and Blackpool has seen Nigel Adkins side remain around the relegation places.
The Irons will be hoping to secure a couple of victories to keep their Championship status after yo-yoing up and down the football league in the last few years.
Last season, an 85th minute goal by Martyn Woolford ensured that Scunthorpe grabbed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Millwall in the League One Play-Off final and thus returned to the second tier of English football at the first time of asking.
Adkins will be hoping to take something away from Preston with United still facing tough games against teams such as Reading and Nottingham Forest before this season draws to an end.
The Opposition Manager
"We're looking good. Gary Hooper is looking sharp in training and hopefully he's getting back to the level of fitness he needs.
"I think it's fair to say that he and Paul Hayes have been fantastic for us this season and I'd like to think that they will be firing on all cylinders on Saturday.
"I expect David Mirfin to be fit and that's big news because he's been a giant for us. Matt Sparrow, who came off the other day at Swansea, is also back.
"We're going to Preston with a positive attitude, with key players returning to fitness as well. We're going there as a united group to get three points."
Nigel Adkins told Scunthorpe United's official website before their visit to Deepdale.
Opposition Player
"I'm feeling fit. I can't feel the groin injury I had before. I maybe need to get a bit sharper but that will come with match fitness.
"It will be nice to start at Preston. I came on against Blackpool the other day and scored. I feel we have to take our home form to Preston and go for it.
"We beat them 3-1 at home and if we play like we did at our place then we'll have no problems scoring. The main thing is clearing and defending our lines well."
Scunthorpe top goalscorer Gary Hooper speaks to Irons Player and Scunthorpe's official website before the game.
Head-to-Head
PNE's all time record against Scunthorpe W12 D 12 L 12
PNE's all time league record against Scunthorpe W9 D3 L11
Last Meeting
Scunthorpe United 3 Preston North End 1
(McCann 12, Hooper 42, 53. Parkin 58)
Tuesday 15th September 2009
Coca-Cola Championship
Glandford Park
PNEBetting.com Odds
Preston 10/11 Draw 12/5 Scunthorpe 3/1
PNEBetting.com Selected Bet
60/1 for Jon Parkin to score first in 3-1 win
While making a bet on the game, why not look on the odds for the Grand National. One horse that looks good this year is State of Play, he finished fourth last year and is carrying less than 11 stone going into the National. At odds of 18/1, this horse will be tipped for great things at Aintree. Click here for the latest bets for the National with pnebetting.com.
PNE Player
Saturday's game will be brought to you by Jonathan Breeze and former North End midfielder Brian O'Neil. Team news will be made available at around 2pm and the show will start at 2.30pm.
Any Other Business?
At the game, the Sir Tom Finney Foundation will have its official launch party and will also receive the Football League Trust's Silver Award for continued excellence in its community work.
