Preston head into this weekendâs game against league leaders Queens Park Rangers with time running out to avoid the drop.
Phil Brown’s men come up against the high flying Londoners nine points from safety with just one game in hand on 21st placed Crystal Palace.
North End are on a dreadful run, they havenât won in their last nine league games stretching back to 11 December when they beat Ipswich 1-0.
Since then the Lilywhites have changed manager with Phil Brown replacing Darren Ferguson but Brown has yet to taste victory in his six league games in charge.
Preston will have to try and bounce back from the disappointment of Tuesdayâs draw with Watford.
North End were two goals up with 22 minutes to go before Watford scored twice to peg them back and earn a point.
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Brown will look to Keith Treacy for inspiration with the gaffer praising the wingerâs contribution on Tuesday after returning from injury.
Iain Hume could be in line to return from injury but it remains unclear whether Paul Coutts and Chris Brown could also feature.
Despite the contrasting fortunes of the opponents this weekend, Preston need look no further than the Premier League for inspiration.
Earlier this month undefeated and top of the table Manchester United travelled to bottom placed Wolves.
In a result that tore up the form book Wolves grabbed all three points beating the Reds 2-1.
This weekendâs match has could prove decisive at both ends of the table. QPR currently sit top of the table five points clear of second placed Cardiff.
Rangers are on a seven match unbeaten run in the league and have their sights set firmly on the Premiership.
Scunthorpe Unitedâs midweek victory over Nottingham Forest left North End cut off at the bottom, five points from the Lincolnshire club.
The London based club will be looking for more of the same when the two teams meet at Deepdale.
QPR beat Preston 3-1 at Loftus Road back in November, with goals from Rob Hulse and two from captain Adel Taarabt sealing the three points before Rangers defender Matthew Connolly scored an own goal.