Preston v Walsall: Why we’re all White in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
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Favourites for victory following their FA Cup triumph over Norwich, Preston look good value for a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy northern area final first-leg win at home to Walsall with the Lilywhites priced at 4/5 with Ladbrokes.
However the visitors could yet spring a surprise having already beaten their Yorkshire opponents once this season, albeit at their beloved Bescot Stadium and could tempt at 7/2 for the win while the draw is 5/2 with the bookmaker.
But after taming the Canaries it’s the hosts who get our vote and here are three top tips to help you maximise any returns on a Preston win.
Simon Grayson has made his Preston team very difficult to beat and while the goals have not exactly flowed for the Lilywhites of late, they can nevertheless be backed to keep things tight at the back when Walsall come calling.
Preston’s 2-0 win over Norwich in the FA Cup means that each of their last nine wins in all competitions have come along with a clean sheet.
Much of Preston’s recent success has been built on making a positive start and while the Lilywhites had to wait until the second half against Norwich to take the initiative, they have tended to make a much brighter start when it comes to the league having gone in ahead in each of their previous eight victories in all competitions.
It therefore stands to reason that a Walsall side that has shipped six goals in their last three games will be ripe for the picking on a cold night at Deepdale.
The Norwich game aside, Preston have made a habit of doing the bare minimum to go in ahead at half-time with the Whites 1-0 at the break in six of their last seven victories including the FA Cup shock and they look great value to repeat that feat against a defensively dodgy Walsall.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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