Hosts Preston North End are also suffering a striker shortage of their own. Sean Maguire recently underwent surgery on a torn hamstring, while Jordan Hugill picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Ipswich and will miss this weekend’s clash. These sides last met in 2015, when a goalless draw marked a bland Halloween tie between the north-west clubs. Preston midfielder Paul Gallagher told the club’s website: “Bolton have started picking up with some good results but we need to stick together and try and get a win on Friday. “Every derby we’ve played in we’ve done well in since I’ve been [at Preston] and we’ve had some good days. We know it’s going to be difficult but we are all looking forward to it.” Bolton boss Phil Parkinson spoke to the club’s YouTube channel about the fixture. He said: “There are not many derbies for us this year and Preston, similar to Bolton, are a club with great tradition and history. “It’s going to be a cracking atmosphere and it’s a game that we’re really looking forward to.”🎫 Ticket sales for #BWFC's @SkyBetChamp fixture at @pnefc tonight have now ended. 3,239 tickets were sold in advance. Pay on the day is available at the Away Ticket Office at Deepdale. No price increase. #COYWM 🐘 🏰 pic.twitter.com/CnoroESU6q
— Bolton Wanderers Tickets (@BWFC_Tickets) November 17, 2017
Factfile: Both sides last earned a point in the league on the same day – October 14. Since then, they have had polar fortunes. Bolton picked up their first win of the season on that afternoon and have since picked up points in each of their last four games, despite being denied victories late on by Fulham and Sunderland. Mid-October was the last time Preston picked up a point – against the Cottagers. Their previous four games have all ended in defeat, including successive games without scoring a goal.