Blackburn Rovers host Preston North End at Ewood Park this lunchtime for the first time since 2001.

Paul Lambert's Rovers are 14th in the Sky Bet Championship table, nine points clear of the bottom three and 16 points adrift of the play-offs, with seemingly very little to play for between now and May.

Simon Grayson's Preston however still possess an outside chance of making the play-offs, sitting just nine points behind sixth place Sheffield Wednesday, although will need to improve on a recent run of just one win in five games if they are to gate-crash the top six.

With just 16 miles between the two, it is a good old Lancashire derby which which will no doubt be full of spice.

The visitors will also be backed by around 7,000 fans who will add to what will certainly be a fantastic atmosphere.

Here's THREE things to look out for in this afternoon's encounter at Ewood Park...

1) Returning players

Preston striker Joe Garner and experienced midfielder Paul Gallagher will be returning to Ewood Park after their spells with Blackburn.

Garner, who returns from a two match ban this afternoon, was born in Blackburn and was with the Lancashire side since he was a young boy. He has this week somewhat riled up the Rovers fans after claiming that there will be more Preston fans present than Blackburn fans at Ewood Park.

Gallagher was a very respected player in his Blackburn days and made almost 75 appearances for Rovers.

On their day, they are both very dangerous and could cause the Blackburn defence problems.

2) Solid at the back, quiet up top

The two sides have an almost identical record when it comes to goals scored and goals conceded.

The teams are two of the lowest scorers in the league, as Preston have scored 36 goals this season and Blackburn have just one more with 37.

However, they are also two of the most solid defences in the division, accumulating 27 clean sheets between them.

Therefore, you wouldn't normally expect many goals in this encounter, but you never know with a derby - anything could happen.

3) Jermaine Beckford

Last weekend, Preston's play-off hero from last season played his first game for the Lilywhites since August.

The Wembley hat-trick hero played a huge part in Preston's success last season, and having Beckford back fit could be huge for North End.

If Beckford is judged as fit enough then the incredible strike partnership of Garner and himself, which contributed 42 goals to Preston's season last year, could be reunited.

Beckford will be keen to get back on the scoresheet, and this afternoon would be a perfect time to do so in a derby in front of 7,000 North End fans.

Blackburn and Preston fans... what do you think the score will be? Will Preston gate-crash the play-offs? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!