Garner goals can propel Preston past Millers into play-off final

Joe Garner’s stunning Deepdale volley has kept Preston North End in with a real shout of going up from League One. Their play-off semi-final with Rotherham United remains in the balance, but Simon Grayson’s side are 11/10 with Coral to advance from the tie.

The Millers, meanwhile, are odds-on to grace Wembley at 4/6, and are 7/5 to win the second leg at home in 90 minutes. Preston are a tasty 2/1 for victory at the New York Stadium, and 11/4 outsiders for promotion; these are great value bets when you consider the fantastic play-off record of Grayson.

North End’s gaffer has lost a semi second leg just once in three, so this means punters must consider the 12/5 price on a draw in 90 minutes too. It is to Garner once again that Grayson will look for goals in south Yorkshire.

Former Nottingham Forest frontman Garner bagged three away braces during the regular season. He is more than capable of doing so or better again, and you will be rewarded with superb odds of 7/1 on this if punters take them. Garner is also 6/4 in the anytime market.

Steve Evans, meanwhile, is sweating on the fitness of his own top scorer, Kieran Agard. He missed the first leg with a hamstring problem and remains doubtful. Midfielder Lee Frecklington too is an injury concern, after coming off at Deepdale.

If neither can take their place in the Rotherham spine, it is hard to see how a home victory is possible. Preston are unbeaten in five matches with the Millers, so back them to break the drawing habit in this fixture, after the last three finished level, and win to nil at 19/4.

Alex Revell, who netted the opener in the first leg, could once again deputise for Agard up front and is a 7/1 shot to score first. Wesley Thomas may also be named in Rotherham’s attack, and is 7/4 to find the target.

Neil Kilkenny, meanwhile, could return for North End from a calf strain and show Australia boss Ange Postecoglou that he should’ve included him as well as Bailey Wright on the Socceroos’ World Cup roster. He is 8/1 to net anytime, while uncapped defender Wright is 12/1 to perhaps nick something from a set piece here.