There isn’t really much doubt that Leeds are the stronger of the teams here. For all that anything can happen in football, the away side are the most expected winners if all goes well.

As such, they should play their usual possession based game and aim to create chances and ultimately score goals. Leeds are also on an 11-match run of recording at least 4 shots on target.

Preston ended a 10-game winless run in all competitions when defeating Cardiff on Wednesday. We can’t quite say they’ve turned the corner just yet, especially as Leeds will give them a very stern test.

North End therefore will have to soak up their periods of pressure. That’ll be tough for them to do given they’ve kept only 3 clean sheets in their last 11 in all competitions.

No other team in the Championship is averaging more corners per game than Leeds. Daniel Farke’s side top that respective chart with 7.05, with Sheffield Wednesday their nearest challengers on 6.80. A big reason for that is how often they control games, and there is nothing to suggest the same won’t happen on Saturday.

Preston are actually one of the lowest in the division in terms of average corners awarded. The Lilywhites only gain 4.65 per game in that regard, although that figure does rise slightly to 5.10 based upon home league contests.

Even so, Leeds should be the ones that have the better opportunities to create corners. No matter who they select, 2 very direct wingers will play and wide areas will be penetrated given Preston will play with 3 centre backs.

Which team has received the most yellow cards in the Championship this season? Preston. Which teams has had the joint-highest number of red cards in the Championship? Preston.

Clearly this is a very combative team that looks to add a physical and aggressive edge to every match they play. This approach shouldn’t change against a talented opponent as they look to reduce the gulf in class on the day.

Although this goes completely against their historical stereotype, Leeds are actually one of the tidier teams in the league in relation to receiving few cards. It would appear they very much want their football to do the talking.

They are one of 10 teams in the second-tier without a red card this term, while only 4 other clubs have attained fewer bookings over the campaign.

There has been a 75% success hit rate across Leeds’ league fixtures this season in terms of containing 2 or more goals. Although their away battles do average less goals compared to when playing at Elland Road, these away matches have still averaged 2.11 goals per clash.

They very much have the capabilities to defeat the goal line outright themselves. United average 1.80 goals per league clash and have netted 2 or more in 5 of their previous 6 league encounters.

Leeds ideally need to contribute to the goal line if over 1.5 match goals is to be achieved. Preston are one of the lowest scorers in the division, with Heckingbottom’s side only outscoring 3 other clubs. However, they have scored in 5 of their last 6 games, with 5 also witnessing at least 2 match goals.

The Northern Ireland international is very much a typical central midfielder in how he goes about his business. He is one that likes to get stuck in, proved by the fact he has made more fouls that any other Preston player. However, he wants to make an impact on the ball, too. So much so, he is 5th in the squad in terms of fouls against them.

If Preston are to progress up the pitch in possession, McCann will have to demand the ball. He will have his successful moments given they should really outnumber Leeds in this area of the pitch. Therefore, a foul or 2 against him would be no shock whatsoever.

Even so, the midfielder has been fouled at least once for 9 Championship appearances running.

With Junior Firpo out injured for the foreseeable future, Daniel Farke is set to select Max Wober in the left back role moving forward. He did so from the start in their midweek victory against Middlesbrough, even though Farke sees him as more of a centre back.

He does have good experience of the full back role at least, but is likely a little rusty. This is likely why he committed 3 fouls in the Middlesbrough match – more than he has made in any match all season for club or country.

Preston will play a wing back system, so getting the ball into the wide areas will form a big part of their game plan in possession. Paul Heckingbottom will likely target Wober as someone who they can expose, especially given he is still building into the position. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see him make a foul or 2 at some point.

Leeds are in great form, losing only 3 league matches all season. A big reason for them being the highest scorers in the Championship is because of the impact of their forward players. Wales international Daniel James is certainly one of those and recent performances indicate Preston could have their work cut out in keeping him quiet. The former Manchester United man has scored 3 and assisted 2 over his last 8 league appearances.

James is also ranked 6th in the Leeds squad in league action for xG, plus he is positioned 2nd for xAG. Quite simply, this is a very effective player in forward areas and can often be expected to threaten to score or assist a goal. At times, he can be unplayable and look far too good to be playing at this level.

Brenden Aaronson is now starting to show why Leeds parted way with a reported £24.7 million a few years ago to bring him to the club. The USA international has very much got his confidence back, which in turn is benefiting not just him but the team as a whole. He is a favourite of Daniel Farke and rarely misses a game.

The 24-year-old is ranked 3rd in the Whites’ squad in terms of number of shots on target across Championship fixtures this season. He has already helped himself to 5 league goals, a number that can only be bettered by team mate Joel Piroe.

He found the back of the net against Middlesbrough only a couple of days ago and will be hopeful of going on a positive scoring sequence. Also, he has recorded an attempt on target in 3 of his last 4 matches, so he is proving a consistent goal threat of late.