Preston V Colchester

Colchester start a busy Christmas programme with a tough trip to Championship table toppers Preston on Saturday.

Colchester moved up to the Championship playoff places after a Jamie Cureton brace and a Richard Garcia header secured a 3-0 win over Stoke City at Layer Road.

The U’s go into Christmas high on confidence and in high spirits after the club extended the loan of Hogan Ephraim till January 23rd.

Vital Quotes:

Preston Team News:

Preston manager Paul Simpson has named an unchanged squad from the team that beat Plymouth last weekend.
Patrick Agyemang is expected to miss the next month and Neil Mellor is hoping to return to training before the end of the year.

Player to watch: Liam Chilvers

While Preston have many dangerous players all eyes will be on Liam Chilvers who faces his old club for the first time since his un-expected departure in the summer.

Colchester United Team News:

Colchester manager Geraint Williams is set to name an unchanged side after the 3-0 win over Stoke last weekend.

Dean Gerken could keep his place in goal while Richard Garcia came through last week’s comeback game unscathed.

Player to watch: The strikers

Jamie Cureton and Chris Iwelumo are one of the most prolific strike pairings in the league after scoring 22 goals between them before Christmas.

Their goals have been vital to the U’s home form and their improving away form.

Match Facts & Stats

LAST SIX GAMES:
Preston:Home W D D W W W
Away L L W D L W

Colchester:Home W W W W W W
Away W D L L D L


TOP SCORERS:
Preston: Patrick Agyeman 6
Colchester: Jamie Cureton 12

Ref Watch:

REFEREE: M Halsey
ASSISTANTS: G Atkins & A Butler
FOURTH OFFICIAL: S J Bratt

Match Prediction:

Preston NE 1-1 Colchester United

Next Fixtures:

COLCHESTER V Luton Town
Tuesday 26th December 2006
KO: 3.00
ALL TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT FOR THIS MATCH!