Preston North End vs Arsenal - Carabao Cup: TV channel, prediction, team news and lineups

These two clubs have met on 81 occasions to date, 78 of which came pre-1960, clashing only once since the start of the new millennium, that a hard-fought 2-1 FA Cup victory for Arsenal at Deepdale in 2017, so will the Gunners leave Lancashire victorious this time too?

Preston North End vs Arsenal Preview

Amazingly, despite being the record, 14-times FA Cup winners, Arsenal have only ever captured the League Cup twice, doing so back in '87 and '93, defeated in three finals and a further six semi-finals since the latter, so will they move one-step closer to claiming silverware? In the third round, Mikel Arteta's team swatted aside Bolton 5-1 at home, with 17 year old Ethan Nwaneri the star of the show, scoring twice.

Since then however, the Gunners have slipped five points below Premier League leaders Manchester City, suffering their first defeat of the campaign at Bournemouth, before Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, in which they led twice, Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino the scorers, but could not hold on. Arsenal have, undoubtably, made gigantic strides forward under Arteta, but do not have the silverware to show for their improvements, with an FA Cup triumph in 2020, achieved during lockdown, their most-recent major trophy, so could the EFL Cup offer a clear avenue as they seek to change that?

Preston North End meantime are two-times champions of England, but have not featured in the top division since 1961. The Lilywhites have so far ousted Sunderland, Harrogate and Fulham in the League Cup, overcoming the Cottagers 16-15 in a penalty shootout that was seemingly never-ending last month. Thus, they are one of only three non-Premier League outfits left in the competition, seeking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever, despite featuring in all 65 editions of the EFL Cup since the competition's inception.

Earlier this season, Preston sacked manager Ryan Lowe just one game into the EFL Championship season, with Paul Heckingbottom his successor. On Saturday, North End were 3-0 up at Plymouth Argyle, seemingly set to cruise to victory, only to throw away two points, drawing 3-3, with the Pilgrims' equaliser coming in stoppage time. This leaves Preston 16th in the second-tier, suggesting they're unlikely to pull off an historic upset at Deepdale.

Preston North End vs Arsenal Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 81.

• Preston North End Wins: 26. Draws: 19. Arsenal Wins: 36.

Preston North End Team News

Paul Heckingbottom, unusually, switched to a back three at the weekend, deviating from his usual 4-2-3-1. Midfielder Milutin Osmajić is currently in the midst of an eight-game ban for biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck during a fierce Lancashire derby last month. Meantime, the Lilywhites will also be without Robbie Brady, Will Keane and Patrick Bauer due to injury. Given those absences, in midfield, captain Ben Whiteman and Ali McCann appear to be the preferred duo, chosen over Stefán Teitur Þórðarson and Mads Frøkjær-Jensen.

Preston North End predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-4-1-1): Woodman; Kesler-Hayden, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Whiteman, McCann, Holmes, Okkels, Greenwood; Riis.

Preston North End Players to Watch vs Arsenal

Sam Greenwood, on loan from Leeds, is likely to be Preston's primary goal-threat, bagging his fourth of the season at the weekend, and he'll be extra-motivated, having spent two seasons in Arsenal's academy.

Arsenal Team News

The Gunners venture north depleted, especially defensively. Gabriel went off injured on Sunday, joining Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and captain Martin Ødegaard on the sidelines, while neither Jurriën Timber nor Bukayo Saka are likely to feature, having been somewhat rushed back for the Liverpool game. Thus, youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly and Josh Nichols appear likely to start at full-back, while William Saliba is available, having served his one-match ban.

Ethan Nwaneri is the teenager all Gooners are eager to see, given how sharp he has looked during all his cameos, on target twice in round three. In goal, with Neto cup-tied, 16 year old Jack Porter donned the gloves against Bolton, becoming the youngest player in Arsenal history to start a match. This time, fit again 18 year old Tommy Setford could debut, or Mikel Arteta may feel his team requires David Raya's expirence. Lastly, Oleksandr Zinchenko hasn't been seen since 31 August, seemingly not in the manager's plans, be he'll surely be utilised here, right?

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Preston North End: (4-3-3): Raya; Nichols, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Rice, Zinchenko; Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.

Arsenal Player to Watch vs Preston North End

Gabriel Jesus badly needs a goal, last scoring against Nottingham Forest on 30 January, so can the Brazilian striker end this draught?

Preston North End vs Arsenal Prediction

It's unlikely to be straight-forward or routine, but we are forecasting that this depleted, hodgepodge Arsenal side will, just about, overcome Preston: Preston North End 1-2 Arsenal.

Preston North End vs Arsenal FAQs - Carabao Cup

How to watch Preston North End vs Arsenal Carabao Cup game on TV channel?

Preston North End vs Arsenal Carabao Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;

• UK: Sky Sports+

• USA: Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo

• Canada: DAZN Canada

How to watch Preston North End vs Arsenal Carabao Cup game on live streaming?

Preston North End vs Arsenal Carabao Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;

• UK: Sky Sports+

• USA: Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo

• Canada: DAZN Canada

What is the date and kick-off time for Preston North End vs Arsenal in the Carabao Cup?

Preston North End vs Arsenal takes place on Wednesday 30 October 2024, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 15:45 (ET) & 12:45 (PDT).