Sky Sports EFL pundit David Prutton has issued his verdict on Birmingham City's trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End, predicting that Aitor Karanka's side will come away with all three points. 

The Blues grabbed just their second league win of the season against Huddersfield Town in midweek, with Lukas Jutkiewicz coming off the bench to grab a 90th-minute winner.

Their opponents tasted defeat on Wednesday but have won three of their last five and will be looking to end their disappointing start at home.

Alex Neil's men are yet to pick up a point at Deepdale this season and Prutton has predicted that frustrating run will continue.

According to his EFL predictions for Sky Sports, Birmingham will come away as 1-0 winners on Saturday.

That result would see the Blues leapfrog Preston and could mean they move into the top half of the Championship.

Summer signing Scott Hogan has been far from convincing this term, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see midweek matchwinner Jutkiewicz in from the start.

Are these 12 facts about the Blues’ history genuine or not?

 

The Verdict

What a difference 12 months makes! Through the early part of last season, Deepdale was an absolute fortress for Neil's side but a year on it's become a very unhappy hunting ground.

With that in mind, Prutton's prediction makes a lot of sense but I can't help thinking that Preston are going to break their Deepdale duck on Saturday.

Three of Preston's four losses at home in the Championship have only been by one goal, so they'll feel that a tight game will go their way soon and that this one may be it.