Cardiff City will become the 116th different team that Preston North End have faced in the history of the FA Cup when the two battle it out for a place in the fourth round on Sunday afternoon.
Match Information
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Sunday 9th January, 2pm kick-off
Competition: Emirates FA Cup third round
Kit: Home kit – available to order here!
Due to Covid-19 measures in place in Wales, this fixture will take place behind closed doors at the Cardiff City Stadium.
There will be no replays for the third or fourth round of this year's FA Cup competition, meaning that if the scoring is level after 90 minutes on Sunday, the game will head to a period of extra-time and then penalties, if required.
The fourth round draw will take place live on ITV1 at around 4.50pm on Sunday afternoon, following the conclusion of the televised West Ham United vs Leeds United fixture.
Match Coverage
As this is an Emirates FA Cup fixture, there will be no video coverage on iFollow PNE for supporters anywhere in the world, but live commentary will be available with a normal £2.50 match pass, or with any monthly or seasonal pass.
Fans are however able to watch the game live on S4C with English commentary. Find full details on that by clicking here.
PNE Team News
Speaking to iFollow PNE, manager Ryan Lowe confirmed that all those who were available for the last game against Stoke City will again be in contention on Sunday.
The gaffer has also suggested this game may provide an opportunity to give some players who haven’t yet featured much under him a chance to impress.
Those who will miss out include Cardiff City loanee Josh Murphy, who has suffered an injury setback, forward Connor Wickham and long-term absentee Izzy Brown.
The Opposition
It was all change at Cardiff City in October when Mick McCarthy left the club and up stepped Steve Morison, firstly as interim boss before being given the job full-time after positive results.
They do however come into this game four without a victory in the Championship, albeit they have faced the likes of promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion in that time.
The Bluebirds could be without a few of their frontmen for this weekend's clash, with Kieffer Moore out with an ankle injury, while James Collins could miss out through illness.
Key Stats
This will be PNE's 362nd game in the FA Cup, however it will be the first time that they have come up against Cardiff City in the competition.
North End are looking to progress to the fourth round for the first time since 2018, when a 5-1 demolition of Wycombe Wanderers set up a tie against Sheffield United.
Meanwhile, Cardiff City will be looking to address their recent form at home, starting this weekend, having been beaten in nine of their last ten games on their own patch.
Our Last Meeting
Steve Morison and Cardiff City left Deepdale with all three points in November 2021.
PNE had got off to a very fast start, with Sean Maguire opening the scoring inside just two minutes, but two second-half goals from the visitors turned the game around.
Man In The Middle
Andy Woolmer will take charge of his second PNE game this season on Sunday, with the previous fixture being North End’s 2-1 victory away against Middlesbrough in November.
In fact, the Lilywhites tend to do well with Woolmer as the referee, going the last nine unbeaten with him in the centre.
So far this term, he has officiated 19 games, showing 63 yellow cards while he is yet to send a player off.
Pre-Match Interview
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A Lot To Scott