Pick of the stats: Preston North End v Sheffield United

[BBC] Preston are hoping to end an eight-game winless run which has produced only two points when they host Sheffield United on Tuesday (19:45 GMT). The Blades visit Deepdale unbeaten in their past three outings, including two victories. Preston did the league double over Sheffield United last season, having been winless in their previous eight (D2 L6). They have not won three in a row against the Blades since 1897. Sheffield United lost this exact fixture 3-2 last season, last losing consecutive away league games against Preston in 2010/2011. Preston have won just two of their past 13 home league games (D3 L8), failing to keep a single clean sheet in that run. Just four of Sheffield United's past 42 away league games have been drawn (W20 L18), though these draws have all come in their last 14 on the road (W6 L4). Preston boss Graham Alexander is unbeaten in all five of his league games against Sheffield United (W2 D3), with this his first meeting with the Blades since a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe in February 2017.