I'm holding back at laughing at our dear neighbours after they lost to lower league opposition earlier today, because the same could happen to us tomorrow if Pompey aren't on top of their game.
Our record against Championship clubs is good this season, but it follows a pattern that won't fill Pompey fans with too much confidence. Having scraped past Burnley, Ipswich and Plymouth with single goal wins we can't keep playing badly against lower league sides because surely our luck will run out eventually.
Thankfully, Preston haven't been having a good season and are struggling with Southampton at the bottom of the Championship. Having said that, Alan Irvine's side have won their last four home games and thrashed Derby at Pride Park in the last round so aren't to be taken lightly.
The main talking point about the tie since the draw was made was David Nugent's return to the club where he enjoyed a lot of success. There have been conflicting reports on whether he will be fit enough to play but it looks like he will end up having to watch from the sidelines.
Jermain Defoe is cup-tied which means that Harry has to decide whether to use both Kanu and Baros up front in a 4-4-2, or revert to the successful 4-3-3 now that Sulley Muntari is back. I'd like to see the 4-3-3 return with Kanu up front to hold the ball up.
The best news is that Sylvain Distin should return to the side to shore up the defence, whilst Lucien Aubey could start at left back after his impressive showing at Bolton.
North End will have Sean St. Ledger suspended after being sent off at Colchester so Youl Mawene will probably take his place whilst Neil Mellor is likely to start alongside Chris Brown after scoring in midweek.
We're currently fourth favourites for the cup and now even the likes of Andy Gray are tipping us to make an impact in the competition and maybe even win the thing! Who knows? If we can overcome this hurdle we may just have a chance....
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Preston
GK: Andy LONERGAN
RB: Youl MAWENE
CB: Liam CHILVERS
CB: Callum DAVIDSON
LB: Matt HILL
RM: Lewis NEAL
CM: Paul McKENNA
CM: Richard CHAPLOW
LM: Simon WHALEY
CF: Neil MELLOR
CF: Chris BROWN
Bench: Chris NEAL, Chris SEDGWICK, Kevin NICHOLLS, Joe ANYINSAH, Brett ORMEROD
Pompey
GK: David JAMES
RB: Glen JOHNSON
CB: Sylvain DISTIN
CB: Sol CAMPBELL
LB: Hermann HREIDARSSON
CM: Sulley MUNTARI
CM: Lassana DIARRA
CM: Papa BOUBA DIOP
RWF: John UTAKA
LWF: Niko KRANJCAR
CF: KANU
Bench: Jamie ASHDOWN, Lucien AUBEY, Sean DAVIS, Richard HUGHES, Milan BAROS
Pundit Watch
Lawro: Away Win (0-2)
Soccernet: Away Win
Footy-Mad: Away Win
My Prediction: Away Win (1-2)