National cups are something special for many teams and supporters. Today's match will decide whether it's Preston North End or Cheltenham Town that keep their silverware dream alive.
It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Preston and Cheltenham Town.
Preston North End form and stats
Preston have reached this Carabao Cup stage through battling and winning against Morecambe and Mansfield Town. Last season, Preston's Carabao Cup journey ended in the 3rd round.The story so far in the Championship for Preston North End at their home stadium (Deepdale) is 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. With three draws from their last three games overall it has been a case of neither great nor terrible for Preston North End.
A draw after 90 minutes last time out for Preston North End, who played 1-1 against West Bromwich Albion. That match was also played at this venue (Deepdale). Midfielder Ryan Ledson was the best player on the team with a rating of 7.65 (out of ten) in that game. Ledson hit three key passes.
2-2 away at Sheffield United before that.The manager F. McAvoy will start preparations for the next game as soon this is finished, as the hosts are going to Birmingham City in only four days.
Preston have proved capable of finding the net in their games here at Deepdale with 6 goals in 4 league matches. Preston North End have conceded 6 from these games.
Cheltenham Town form and stats
The traveling awayteam has defeated Bristol Rovers and Gillingham in order to reach 3rd round of Carabao Cup. Cheltenham was sent out of Carabao Cup in the 2nd round last season.1-2-1 is the win-draw-loss statistic for Cheltenham Town in their League One matches away.
Cheltenham Town go into this game after a win, the home game against Oxford United that ended 1-0. Scott Flinders (goalkeeper) was the best performer with a rating of 8.1. Flinders stopped the opponent with five saves and topped it up with a clean sheet.
Prior to that result Cheltenham won their away game at Charlton Athletic in the League One. The scoreline was 2-1.The visitors will be packing their bags again in only four days as another away game awaits: The League One trip to Wigan Athletic.
Cheltenham are not goal shy away from home in the league, finding the net 6 times in 4 away games so far. Cheltenham's defence is not exactly unbeatable as they have conceded 6 goals from these trips.
Head 2 Head
Top Goalscorers
  E. Riis Jakobsen 3 goals |   C. Wright 3 goals |  D. Johnson 2 goals |
Preston North End missing players
Cheltenham Town missing players
| Preston North End | Cheltenham Town | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 8 | Played | P | 14 | 25 | ||
| 11 | 4 | Won | W | 7 | 14 | ||
| 7 | 2 | Drew | D | 3 | 5 | ||
| 7 | 2 | Lost | L | 4 | 6 | ||
| 39 | 12 | Scored | S | 26 | 42 | ||
| 31 | 12 | Conceded | C | 13 | 23 | ||
| 92% | 100% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 100% | 100% | ||
| 68% | 88% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 79% | 76% | ||
| 44% | 50% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 43% | 40% | ||
| 28% | 38% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 14% | 16% | ||
| 20% | 25% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 14% | 12% | ||
| 48% | 50% | BTTS | BTTS | 50% | 48% | ||
| 36% | 38% | Clean Sheets | C S | 29% | 36% | ||
| 24% | 12% | Failed to Score | F T | 21% | 16% | ||
| 3.7 | 3.4 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 4 | 4.6 | ||
| 4.5 | 4.5 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 4.5 | 5 | ||
| 1.2 | 1.5 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 1 | 1.1 | ||
| 0 | 0 | Red cards | R C | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10.1 | 9.9 | Shots (avg) | S ( | 11.5 | 11.2 | ||
| 4 | 3.8 | Shots on Target (avg) | S O | 4.4 | 4.4 | ||
| 34% | 40% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 38% | 36% | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | AFC Bournemouth | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 18 |
| 2 | Fulham | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 16 |
| 3 | West Bromwich Albion | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
| 4 | Coventry City | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 |
| 5 | Stoke City | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 14 |
| 6 | Blackburn Rovers | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| 7 | Huddersfield Town | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 13 |
| 8 | Queens Park Rangers | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 12 |
| 9 | Bristol City | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 12 |
| 10 | Cardiff City | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 11 |
| 11 | Birmingham City | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| 12 | Derby County | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 10 |
| 13 | Luton Town | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | -2 | 10 |
| 14 | Reading | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -3 | 10 |
| 15 | Sheffield United | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 9 |
| 17 | Preston North End | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 9 |
| 18 | Millwall | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 8 |
| 19 | Barnsley | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 20 | Blackpool | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | -5 | 8 |
| 21 | Swansea City | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -4 | 7 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 13 | -7 | 7 |
| 23 | Hull City | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -7 | 5 |
| 24 | Nottingham Forest | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -5 | 4 |
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Wigan Athletic | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| 2 | Sunderland | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 16 |
| 3 | Milton Keynes Dons | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 15 |
| 4 | Plymouth Argyle | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 |
| 5 | Wycombe Wanderers | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 14 |
| 6 | Rotherham United | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
| 7 | AFC Wimbledon | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 12 |
| 8 | Bolton Wanderers | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| 9 | Cheltenham Town | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| 10 | Burton Albion | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -2 | 12 |
| 11 | Accrington Stanley | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 12 |
| 12 | Sheffield Wednesday | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 11 |
| 13 | Cambridge United | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| 14 | Oxford United | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| 15 | Portsmouth | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| 16 | Fleetwood Town | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| 17 | Lincoln City | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| 18 | Morecambe | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -1 | 7 |
| 19 | Ipswich Town | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -4 | 6 |
| 20 | Gillingham | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -4 | 6 |
| 21 | Crewe Alexandra | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -4 | 5 |
| 22 | Shrewsbury Town | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -7 | 5 |
| 23 | Charlton Athletic | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -4 | 4 |
| 24 | Doncaster Rovers | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 4 |
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