We make our second long trek to East Anglia in only three weeks after visiting Ipswich at the start of the month.
This is the 21st time we have headed east for a league game, although older fans will remember what seemed like an annual midweek trudge for a series of League Cup ties in the 1980s, when we faced each other three times in four years.
Our record in Norfolk is not bad, with five wins, seven draws and eight defeats, so we have taken points from more than 50 per cent of the games there.
Our first visit was in 1961 and we were regular opponents throughout the decade, but after a 1-1 draw in 1972, we didn’t face each other again at Carrow Road until 2001. We have played ten games since, with three wins and two draws balanced by five defeats.
Goals have not exactly flowed, with 24 for and 30 against, but there has not been a goalless draw to date.
Our biggest win came via a 3-0 scoreline in 2006 and our heaviest defeat was way back in 1964, when we were on the wrong end of a 4-2 final score.
Sean Gregan is always happy to recall his long distance goal past Rob Green in March 2001 in a 2-1 North End win, although he claims to be farther from goal with each telling! Most games have featured just a couple of goals so another tight affair might be in line for today.
Of those players to have worn both Lilywhite and Canary shirts, one particular incidence was somewhat controversial at the time. Dickson Etuhu was loaned to Norwich from Deepdale in 2005 and found himself facing his parent club at Carrow Road in January. During the match, he came into collision with Adam Nowland in a perfectly legal challenge, but unfortunately Adam ended up with a broken leg. Such a situation could not arise today as loan players cannot play against their parent club and in an ironic move, Dickson signed permanently for Norwich the very next morning.
Others to have graced both clubs include Mike Flynn, Chris Brown, Stephen Elliott, David Healy and of course current North Ender Declan Rudd.
On This Date
Of 11 previous away games on this date, we have won just one, a single Benny Green goal sealing a victory at Anfield in 1911.
Three years ago today, Jermaine Beckford made his North End debut on loan from Bolton in a 2-2 draw at Oldham in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
In 1971, Bert Patrick made his 57th and last appearance of an eight year career at Deepdale.
Last Five Games At Carrow Road
Norwich City 0 Preston North End 1 (Baptiste), 22nd Oct 2016
Norwich City 1 (Holt) Preston North End 1 (Brown), 5th Mar 2011
Norwich City 2 (Lita, Kennedy) Preston North End 2 (Brown, Mellor), 8th Nov 2008
Norwich City 1 (Russell) Preston North End 0, 2nd Feb 2008
Norwich City 2 (St. Ledger (og), Earnshaw) Preston North End 0, 8th Aug 2006