Preston vs Norwich predictions: Canaries can take big step in play-off push

- Norwich are sixth and have only lost two of their last 13 league games
- Preston are eighth, five points behind the Canaries with a game in hand
- Recommended bet: Norwich to win

Norwich should maintain their push for the play-offs with victory over Preston, denting North End's chances of finishing in the top six in the process.

The Canaries will have been frustrated to let a 2-0 lead slip late on at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, with the 2-2 draw leaving them four points behind fifth-placed West Brom as the play-off race hots up.

Preston still have hope of making the play-offs themselves, as they sit eighth with a game in hand on the Canaries following a 4-1 home win over Huddersfield on Tuesday.

Team news

Milutin Osmajic came off the bench late on to score a sensational match-winning hat-trick in just seven minutes for Preston against Huddersfield so the striker will be hopeful he has now earned a starting spot for the Norwich clash.

Brad Potts is close to a return for the hosts following a hamstring strain but Liam Millar, Ben Whiteman and Ryan Ledson are all still absent.

For Norwich, Jonathan Rowe is expected to make a welcome return to the squad after recently recovering from a hamstring injury, but Grant Hanley, Dimitrios Giannoulis, Jacob Sorensen and Onel Hernandez are all injured.

The stats

Norwich have only lost two of their last 13 league games, winning eight, as they have moved into contention for a play-off place.

Preston have won three of their last five matches in the Championship to boost their own top-six chances.

Norwich have scored two or more goals in four of their last six games.

Josh Sargent has scored four goals in his last six games and is Norwich's top-scorer with 15 league goals this season.

Prediction

Norwich looked well on course for a routine win at Hillsborough on Tuesday as they attempted to follow-up the 1-0 derby success over local rivals Ipswich at the weekend with another important victory.

However, two late goals for the Owls meant they had to settle for a point and they will be well aware Coventry and Saturday's opponents North End are lurking dangerously beneath them, both five points behind with a game in hand.

The race for the final play-off place could go on until the end of the regular season in the Championship, but the Canaries know if they can secure victory at Deepdale they would be in a commanding position with three games to play.

Back Norwich to win at 5/4 with LiveScore Bet.

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