Leeds United play a former manager in Paul Heckingbottom on Saturday, who is now in charge of Preston North End.
Leeds United go in search of a third-straight win in the Championship this weekend when they head to Deepdale to take on a very mixed Preston North End outfit.
The Lilywhites beat Cardiff City in midweek to move up into 14th place of the Championship table. But they sit a whole 19 points behind Leeds United who thumped Middlesbrough 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Leeds now sit in 2nd and Sheffield United in 1st, but Burnley in 3rd are now three points behind the Whites.
Daniel Farke has played down Leeds United promotion chances though, instead highlighting the quality of several others in the top six right now.
And Farke also spoke positively about Paul Heckingbottom ahead of this weekend. The 47-year-old was Leeds manager for a very brief spell in 2018, overseeing 16 games and winning just four before being sacked, then relaced by Marcelo Bielsa.
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Daniel Farke’s thoughts on Preston and Paul Heckingbottom ahead Leeds United trip to Deepdale
Farke spoke to the press on Friday afternoon and spoke about Heckingbottom and his Preston side.
The Leeds boss explained: “It’s always a difficult place to go, Preston. I’ve played there so many times in my Championship life and it was always difficult.
“Always competitive games. Never easy. We have also the impression from last season. They have a pretty experienced manager on this level with Paul, who knows this league inside out.
“Good players. Always they play with fighting spirit and competitiveness.”
Speaking earlier this week in his Preston presser, Heckingbottom rued the Leeds United fixture, due to the fact that Leeds have had an extra 24 hours rest over his Preston players who played on Wednesday.
Daniel Farke’s record vs Preston North End
Last time these two teams met was at Elland Road, with Leeds beating Preston 2-1 thanks to goals from Dan James and Joel Piroe.
But the last time Leeds went to Deepdale, they lost 2-1, and so Farke certainly won’t take Preston for granted this weekend.
As Norwich City manager, Farke faced Preston on seven occasions; winning twice, drawing four, and losing just once.
The experienced German boss certainly knows what it takes to win at Deepdale and also what it takes to earn promotion from the Championship, with Farke going in search of a career third promotion this season.
Heckingbottom also has Championship promotion on his CV, though his Preston outfit would likely settle for a point against a rampant-looking Leeds side this weekend.
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