Preston North End is set to face Watford in the 32nd round of the EFL Championship on Saturday, with both teams looking to improve their standings. Paul Heckingbottom's Preston is fresh off a 1-0 home win over Portsmouth last week, with Alfie Devine scoring the game's only goal five minutes before the break. The win ended a four-game winless run for the Lilywhites, who moved up to seventh in the standings with 47 points from 31 matches. Meanwhile, Ed Still's Watford is coming off a 1-0 loss at Southampton a week ago, with the Hornets bossing possession but failing to score. The defeat dropped Watford to 12th in the points table, with 44 points from 31 outings. The head-to-head stats favor Preston, who lead Watford 20-14 in 51 meetings across competitions. The Lilywhites are unbeaten in four games in the fixture, winning twice. Preston has won two of their last five competitive home games, losing thrice, while Watford has won one of their last five road games, losing twice. The form guide shows Preston with a W-D-L-L-L record in their last five games, while Watford has a L-D-L-D-D record. Both teams have had underwhelming campaigns, but a win would boost their play-off hopes. Considering their poor recent form, a stalemate looks like a likely outcome. The prediction is for a 1-1 draw, with both sides expected to score. Betting tips include a draw, both sides to score, and over 1.5 goals. Preston's recent home form has been poor, with only two wins in their last eight games, but the win over Portsmouth snapped a three-game losing streak at Deepdale. Watford, on the other hand, is winless in six road outings, losing three. The match will be a crucial test for both teams, with the outcome likely to impact their play-off hopes. The Lilywhites will be looking to build on their recent win, while the Hornets will be seeking to bounce back from their loss. The stage is set for an exciting encounter at Deepdale, with both teams looking to make a statement. And with the play-off places within reach, the match is likely to be a tense and closely contested affair. But for now, the focus is on the upcoming match, with both teams preparing to give it their all. So the question is, can Preston North End build on their recent win and boost their play-off hopes, or will Watford bounce back from their loss and claim a crucial victory?