The Bluebirds head to Lancashire for a Tuesday night clash with the Lilywhites.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Preston North End’s manager is Paul Heckingbottom, who was appointed in August last year.
The former defender enjoyed a lengthy playing career representing the likes of Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford City and Darlington amongst others.
He first stepped into coaching at Barnsley, working his way through the ranks to become First Team Manager in 2016. During his two-year stint with the Tykes, he achieved promotion to the Championship and won the Football League Trophy.
Heckingbottom’s success brought about a move to Leeds United where he served as manager before being replaced by Marcelo Bielsa in June 2018.
Subsequently making the move to Scottish side Hibernian, Heckingbottom guided the club to a fifth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership before departing the Hibees the following campaign. He would enjoy further success at his following club, securing promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United in his second full season at the helm.
The Yorkshire-born manager joined Preston North End two matches into the current campaign, and has since recorded 15 wins, 18 draws and 12 losses, achieving a win percentage of 33.33%.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
Preston North End are currently 14th in the Sky Bet Championship. Having struggled for consistent form in recent weeks, Tuesday's hosts have recorded one win in their last nine outings.
However, they have shown their defensive resilience throughout the campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets to date.
Last time out, Heckingbottom’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City. Kaine Hayden put the Lilywhites ahead early on, but a second half penalty, calmly converted by Lewis Baker, ensured the points were shared.
STATZONE
The first meeting between the two sides was in February 1922, when the Bluebirds came out 3-0 winners with Kenneth MacDonald, Billy Grimshaw and Jimmy Gill all getting on the scoresheet.
Since then, there has been 103 meetings between the clubs, with City winning 40, 25 ending with a share of the spoils and Preston North End claiming 39 victories.
Last time the Bluebirds made the journey to Deepdale, two goals in added time from Karlan Grant and Ike Ugbo shocked the hosts as City fought back to claim victory in Lancashire.
CLUB CONNECTIONS | PAUL PARRY
Boyhood Bluebird supporter Paul Parry joined City from Hereford United in 2004.
The left-footed winger went on to make 214 appearances in the Welsh capital, netting 28 times and recording 24 assists during his time at the Club.
He was a part of the 2007/08 side that reached the FA Cup Final and established himself as a popular figure during his time as a Bluebird.
Parry made the move to Lancashire in August 2009, scoring his first goal for the Lilywhites later that month against Barnsley in a 3-0 victory.
He proved himself to be an integral player for Preston North End during a three-year spell with the club, going on to make 91 appearances in all competitions and netting on six occasions.