Yeovil Town are back in SkyBet League One action this coming Saturday as the Glovers host Preston North End.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that this fixture has not one, but two ticketing offers attached to it.
The pre-match prices, which normally end at Midnight on Friday are being extended right up until 1pm on match day, meaning you can take advantage of the £2 discount right up until lunch time on Saturday.
If that wasn’t enough, this game has also been assigned as one of the club’s “Kids for a quid” fixtures. Junior supporters will be admitted to the game for just one pound.
As for the fixture itself, Yeovil will be hoping to continue the momentum from an impressive 2-1 away win at high flying Notts County.
The 2-1 win saw the Glovers come from behind to record the win thanks to two late Jordan Clarke goals.
The right back joins two other members of the squad on two goals for the season.
The result was just reward for a number of good performances over recent weeks since the introduction of new squad members for the Chesterfield draw.
As for Preston they have been sitting pretty in the play off spots for most of the season and currently lie in third.
They are just the two points of top spot and that follows an impressive win over table toppers Bristol City last weekend.
However, where Yeovil have a slight advantage will be in freshness, Yeovil returned from Notts with a relatively clean bill of health meanwhile North End have been in action since last weekend.
Preston had a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy fixture on Tuesday against Oldham Athletic. The match went all the way to penalties and it was PNE ‘keeper Thorsten Stuckmann who put away the winning spot kick to clinch a 10-9 win.
Both squads have had a bit of a shake up recently and both managers have had to react to injuries by bringing in new faces.
Gary Johnson has moved to strengthen his attacking options by bringing in Tom Eaves from Bolton, his arrival did spell the end of Jordy Hiwula’s loan deal from Manchester City.
Eaves’ signings bumps the Glovers back up to six loanees on the books. Normally, only five would be allowed, but with Cardiff loanee Ben Nugent suspended following his fifth booking of the season all the others are free to take their place in the squad.
Other than that, injuries to Kieffer Moore and Liam Davis are still being monitored while Artur Krysiak sat out a midweek practice match against Reading as a precaution – Gareth Stewart stepping in.
Chris Weale remains on loan at Burton, with Aaron Martin and Jakub Sokolik also out on temporary deals.
For Simon Grayson, his headaches have also surrounded the front line with leading marksman Joe Garner ruled out for a number of months with a tendon problem.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa loanee Callum Robinson has been recalled by his parent club. PNE aren’t short of numbers in reserve however, with former Everton and Leeds forward Jermaine Beckford brought in earlier this month.
Reserve winger Lee Holmes is also unavailable – he joined League Two Portsmouth.
The last time these two sides met was during the Glovers’ promotion season two years ago, a 3-1 Yeovil win that day thanks to goals from James Hayter, Paddy Madden and Nathan Ralph not only clinched all three points but also ended Graham Westley’s tenure at Deepdale.
The sides met three times during the calendar year of 2012, Preston winning both games in Lancashire and Yeovil winning on home soil.
In fact, in five competitive meetings there is yet to be a draw and neither side has won on opposition territory, could that be a god omen for a home win?
Three of the last four games have seen a red card, a feisty game has nearly always been played out between the sides too, Ed Upson seeing red in both the League game and FA Cup fixture in 2012.
Simon Grayson has previous against Yeovil, he was Blackpool’s manager in the 2007 League One play off final and he brings with him Paul Huntington, a former Glovers’ skipper.
A reminder that you can be at the game this coming Saturday with tickets available from all the usual outlets right up until kick off.
The pre-match discount is available until 1pm on Saturday and kids can get in for just a quid.
So, put that Christmas shopping on hold for one more week, bring the whole family to Huish Park and watch the green and white army put their new found form and performances on the line at home against one of the division’s top teams.
If you can’t be at the game, the commentary will be on Glovers Player and the post match reaction will be available on YouTube within 24 hours.
Preston North End
Famous Fans: WWE Wrestler and former Intercontinental Champion Wade “Bad News” Barrett and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.
A Foot in Both Camps: Aaron Brown, Craig Davies, Max Ehmer, Paul Huntington, Jamie McAllister and new signing Jermaine Beckford was on trial at Huish Park during his time at non-league Wealdstone.
Did you know: Preston was home to Britain’s first KFC.
