Preston North End take on Blackpool this weekend, meaning another meeting with Tangerines boss Mick McCarthy.
The international break is mercifully coming to an end and we can look forward to PNE action once again.
This Saturday’s game promises to be a huge one as PNE play host to Blackpool.
Here we go again – yet another instalment of our biggest rivalry.
Why Chelsea FINALLY Turned A Corner.
The Tangerines ran out 4-2 winners in the last meeting between the two sides way back in October.
Ryan Lowe needs to come back strong here and beat Blackpool at home – just as he did in April of last year.
MORE PRESTON STORIES
North End ultimately don’t have much to play for this season but Blackpool are desperate for points.
Our seaside rivals head into Saturday’s game sitting second-bottom of the Championship and four points adrift of safety.
Defeat at Deepdale would be a hammer blow for Blackpool and PNE will be looking to deliver it.
This means facing off against Mick McCarthy once again with the veteran boss brought in to replace Michael Appleton earlier this term.
The 64-year-old is a real veteran of the Championship scene and has therefore faced PNE on a number of occasions.
McCarthy’s record against PNE over the years is played 10, won 10, drawn four and lost five.
McCarthy is actually unbeaten against North End in his last seven games, winning five and drawing two.
That’s a concerning recent record for PNE, who haven’t beaten a McCarthy team since way back in January 2014.
Joe Garner’s hat-trick fired PNE past McCarthy’s Ipswich in an FA Cup replay at Deepdale.
There are some memorable games along the way; two 3-1 wins at Molineux against McCarthy’s Wolves stick out, with Paul Simpson and Alan Irvine enjoying big wins.
Billy Davies also took a big win over McCarthy’s Sunderland in 2005, beating the Black Cats 3-2 on New Year’s Day in 2005.
Fans will remember those games fondly but McCarthy’s last game against PNE was actually a 4-0 thrashing of North End in February 2021.
McCarthy would love to repeat that feat on Saturday but PNE must end this winless run against the Irishman this weekend.