Darren Carter’s last-minute own goal against Portsmouth in the FA Cup last weekend was pretty symbolic of the luck that Preston have been up against for most of this season.

The Lancashire club are currently hovering just above the Championship trap door and a trip to promotion-chasing Watford probably isn’t what the doctor ordered at this particular moment in time, especially as their away form is dodgy at best.

Only Barnsley have a worse away record than the Lilywhites.

Preston’s two away victories came back-to-back in December when they defeated Burnley and Southampton but since then they have return to type, losing each of their last four on the road.

Richard Chaplow joined the club in January but he has yet to hit the heights that he did with North End’s local rivals Burnley.

The midfielder has signed from West Brom and he will come good sooner or later as he is a quality player.

Watford will want revenge for the 1-0 defeat that they suffered when the visited Deepdale last month.

They currently sit second in the table behind Stoke and a home win is a must if the Hornets want to achieve automatic promotion.

They haven’t been world beaters at home this season, perhaps the burden of expectation has been too much for them.

On the road they have played without fear and freedom whilst at home they have at times got bogged down.

The last two home games have seen them win both without conceding so perhaps the pressure has been released and the Watford team that has performed so well on the road has clicked in to gear at Vicarage Road.

This is a game that the Hornets should win comfortably.

Aidy Boothroyd’s men will be desperate to keep the pressure on at the top and we can’t see them slipping up against a side who have generally been poor on the road this season.