Preston North End in Numbers: Alex Neil's side aren't a favourite pick on the pools coupon

Both were 2-2 draws, at Norwich City in September and against Wycombe Wanderers at Deepdale a month ago.

It is the lowest number of draws in the Championship, Bristol City the nearest to them with three.

North End’s 10 wins in league action has been bettered only by Norwich (13), Brentford (11), Swansea (11) and Reading (11).

On the flip side, only three clubs have had more defeats than PNE’s 10, those being Wycombe (13), Rotherham (12) and Nottingham Forest (11).

Alex Neil’s focus is to put better figures into the win margin but the low draw count isn’t as much of a worry to him.

Millwall are the draw specialists of the division, with 10 – and they sit seven points below PNE.

North End manager Neil said: “You are better off winning and potentially maybe losing a couple than drawing eight, nine or 10 games.

“People will look at the table and be surprised where we are because we have lost quite a few games.

“Equally, we have won as many as Bournemouth, for example, who are sitting in the top six.

“I think our points tally at the moment, with what we’ve had to deal with, is particularly pleasing .”

Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest sees PNE reach the halfway stage of the season.

They get a fortnight’s break from the league after that, with a trip to Wycombe in the FA Cup next weekend – a game being broadcast live on the FA’s website.

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