Preston v Blackburn Tips: Back Cannon to fire first at 5/1

• Play-off hopefuls unable to beat each other

• Tom Cannon launching Preston promotion bid

• Three bets to consider from our tipster

Eight vying for two

The Championship play-off race continues to heat up and the Saturday evening clash between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers is further proof of that.

Two defeats in a row, the latter of which got so heated that Preston North End's personnel were told not to complete post-match interviews, have left Ryan Lowe's Lilywhites in 11th.

Yet victory this weekend would see them overtake Jon Dahl Tomasson's Rovers, who currently occupy the final play-off berth despite failing to win any of their five league matches this side of the international break.

With games running out, both sides will be keen to take another step closer towards establishing themselves as serious contenders for promotion - none of the eight sides vying for that final spot have won more than two of their five matches since April 1st.

Draws, draws, draws

Home form has been a contentious issue for Preston North End supporters for much of the campaign but that narrative has changed recently after four wins and two draws in their last six.

However, those victories have come against Cardiff City, Blackpool, Reading and Wigan Athletic, all sides struggling at the wrong end of the division. The two draws are more interesting, given they came against two sides they could meet in the play-offs: Luton Town and Coventry City.

Preston's home form is certainly stronger than Blackburn's away form. Rovers have lost 11 of their 21 fixtures on the road this term with their only victory in the last nine coming against free-falling Queens Park Rangers.

Notably, they have drawn four of their last seven away from Ewood Park, including both games played against fellow top six hopefuls West Bromwich Albion and Watford.

You can back these sides drawing against another fellow play-off contender at 21/10.

Cannon exploding into form

The main man for Preston North End recently has been Tom Cannon, who now has eight goals since joining the club on loan in January.

Seven of those have come in his last eight appearances, including a goal in each of his last three at Deepdale.

There are few signs that run is about to stop with Cannon firing off at least two efforts at goal in each of those eight league games and having at least two shots on target in five of his last six.

Blackburn have kept four clean sheets away from home all season and just one in their last seven. You can back Cannon to score anytime at 12/5.

If you fancy something tastier, five of Cannon's eight league goals have been the first scored in the game while Blackburn have fallen behind in three of their last five in the league and four of their last five on the road.

You can back Cannon to score first at 5/1.