Plymouth v Preston preview
Teale remains out while Brown set to return
By Ben Collins. Last Updated: April 18, 2008 1:04pm
Halmosi: Allayed fitness fears
Plymouth and Preston both have big incentives for winning their Championship clash at Home Park on Saturday.
Plymouth are aiming to get back to winning ways and stay in the race for the play-offs after taking just two points from their last 12 to slip out of the top six.
The Pilgrims remain within five points of the play-off places but with just three games remaining, they must beat Preston to stay in touch.
Preston, meanwhile, travel south knowing victory at Home Park could secure safety with two games left to play.
Survival
That prospect looked a distinct possibility when they lay third-bottom in the Championship following their goalless draw at Watford in February, but a run of six wins in eight games steered the Lilywhites away from the danger zone.
Alan Irvine's men lost 2-1 at home to fellow strugglers Barnsley last time out, although striker Chris Brown is set to return alongside Neil Mellor after missing the Barnsley defeat with a thigh strain.
Plymouth are expected to remain without Gary Teale as the on-loan Derby midfielder is yet to recover from a hamstring injury.
Fitness boost
The problem ruled Teale out of Monday's 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday but he should be available for next week's home game against Blackpool.
Peter Halmosi is set to continue in Teale's absence after making a goalscoring return at Hillsborough, and although he went off with a pain in his leg, the Hungarian winger this week allayed fears he needs surgery.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Chris Brown
Peter Halmosi
