Plenty at stake for Preston and Leeds in Roses battle

After three defeats, PNE require victory to retain even a remote interest in the play-offs.

Leeds have won just two of their last 18 games, a run which has dropped them to 13th position – two places behind tonight’s hosts.

When the sides drew 0-0 at Elland Road in August, the Yorkshire outfit were being tipped as promotion hopefuls.

The reality has proved different, this season all about a change of manager and a mid-table finish.

North End boss Alex Neil said: “Both teams are very different now to when we last played.

“I’ve watched Leeds quite a lot this season and they’ve had a change of manager.

“At their place I thought we played very well and were unlucky not to win when Josh Harrop hit the bar late on.”

The change of boss at Elland Road saw Paul Heckingbotham move from Barnsley to replace Thomas Christiansen in February.

Seven games without a win did for Christiansen, that run including an FA Cup exit at Newport.

At the weekend, Leeds drew 1-1 with Sunderland at Elland Road, winger Pablo Hernandez scoring.

Gaetano Berardi got his third red card of the season in the 90th minute, earning him a five-match ban.