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Ian Holloway predicts Preston v Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez during the press conference (Reuters)
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Newcastle United have already beaten Preston North End 6-0 this week.

Ian Holloway has told Sky Sports that he expects Preston North End to give a better account of themselves against Newcastle United on Saturday, but still backs the Magpies to win.

Rafael Benitez’s side booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the League Cup on Tuesday by smashing Preston 6-0 at St James’s Park.

The Lilywhites did not do themselves any favours by getting a man sent off at 1-0 down, but it was still an utterly ruthless display from Newcastle and Simon Grayson’s side may still bare the scars of such a demoralising defeat.

Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic scores their first goal

That said, winning at Deepdale won’t be easy for the Championship leaders this weekend as Preston go into the contest on the back of a four-match winning streak at home.

Nevertheless, Holloway still expects Newcastle to have too much quality for the Yorkshire side, who sit nine places and 11 points below them in the Championship.

“It’s deja vu! I hope it doesn’t go the same way for Preston like the 6-0 defeat it midweek and it will be a totally different situation,” he told Sky Sports.

Newcastle United's Matt Ritchie celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot with Aleksandar Mitrovic and teammates

“Preston are really good at home but Newcastle are looking like the real deal at the minute.”

Aleksandar Mitrovic picked up a brace on Tuesday but, worryingly for Preston, he is not even Newcastle’s best striker.

Dwight Gayle, who has 11 league goals to his name so far, is expected to come back into the side and lead United’s forward line at Deepdale.

Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after the match