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After a run of four home league defeats City have rallied at Ninian Park and in the last four league games won 2 and drawn 2. The last being the 4 - 1 thumping of West Ham. Preston's away form is poor, 6 defeats and 3 draws from 9 games played. A City win would close the gap on Preston to 1 point. The currently sit in 16th place.
Preston sacked manager Craig Brown earlier in the season when they could see that under Brown's leadership they were going nowhere. Billy Davies has taken over. This week he has signed Patrick Agyemang from Gillingahm
"I am delighted a player of Patrick's potential has agreed to join us," said Davies. "He is a very exciting and pacy player who will add some fire power to our forward line and who at the top of his game will be a great signing for us."
Agyemang is set to make his debut at Ninian Park.
The match of course is live on Sky. Viewers can find it on Sky Sports 1 (ch 401 or Ntl 721).
There is an incentive running for this game where kids under 16 can get in for £5.00. The price applies up until kick off for the Family Stand and both sections of the Bob Bank.
Last season the teams drew both matches 2 - 2. At Ninian Park City were thankful for a late Peter Thorne goal in the last minute to rescue a point after City had twice gone behind. Then at Deepdale last April City came from two down to level. Andy Campbell and Daniel Gabbidon with the goals.
Cardiff are without the suspended Grham Kavanagh and also missing from last weeks 16 is Stuart Fleetwood. The young striker was injured in the reserves this week and will not be available for the bench.
Lee Bullock comes into the starting XI to replace Kavanagh is whats expected to be the only change unless Tony Vidmar is selected over James Collins.
On the bench we expect to see Rhys Weston return ahead of Robert Page, both players now having recovered from their injuris and to replace Fleetwood youngster Danny Thomas is set for his first experience of league football. Thomas has been a goal machine for the youth teams and he scored two and set up one goal as the reserves beat Swindon in midweek.
Camerone Jerome will not replace Alan Lee for this game. Lennie explanied why to the Western Mail
"Cameron is a very good sub. He can come on and have an impact for 20 minutes. Right now, I'm not asking anything more of Cameron than that.
"We're not scoring goals for fun but, at the same time, we're not doing too bad in that department, either.My intention for the Preston match is to start with the same two players (Lee and Parry) up front.
"At the moment, I see Cameron as someone who can come off the bench and liven things up. What we are missing is someone who is capable of scoring 11 or 12 goals at this stage of this season. Remember, we are without our most natural goalscorer - Peter Thorne - who is on his way back from injury."
City therefore expected to be
Warner, Williams, Collins, Gabbidon, Barker, McAnuff, Bullock, Boland, Ledley, Parry, Lee.
Subs. Alexander, Weston, Vidmar, Thomas, Jerome.
Kick off is at 7:45pm.