Preston North End's strongest starting XI - according to the stats experts

Preston North End boosted their Championship play-off bid with a narrow home win against struggling Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.

That victory means Paul Heckingbottom’s men can move into the top six if they can claim another home win against Watford this weekend as sixth placed Wrexham are in FA Cup action with a fourth round tie against Championship rivals Ipswich Town.

Saturday’s win came thanks to a goal from on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine as the 21-year-old continues to impress during his time at Deepdale. Devine has earned his place in Heckingbottom’s starting eleven - but who else should be in the side ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Watford?

We take a look at how the North End starting eleven would look if it was based on average match ratings provided by the stats experts at WhoScored.

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