ROBERTO Di Matteo is expecting to face a pumped up Preston side in tomorrow's Hawthorns clash (ko 3pm).
The 13th-placed Lilywhites are seven points off the play-off places after a five-game unbeaten run.
But Di Matteo feels his second-placed men are more than used to facing stubborn opposition at home this term and is hoping they can extend their winning streak on Black Country soil to six games.
"What I expect is for them to come to The Hawthorns and raise their game and play the game of their season against us," said the Baggies boss.
"At this stage of the season everybody seems to have a chance of making the play-offs.
"But have you ever seen a team that has come to The Hawthorns and attacked?!."
Di Matteo will be without key trio Jonas Olsson (calf), Roman Bednar (thigh) and Steven Reid (groin), while Jerome Thomas (hamstring) remains a doubt.
But the Albion chief has been buoyed by the form of Giles Barnes since his return from long-term injury and is looking forward to the time when he can get regular 90 minutes under his belt.
He added: "It's good to have a few players on the bench - it helps.
"I knew about Giles before.
"He's still very powerful.
"We just have to give him time and see how he's going to improve.
"It's important that he can sustain a number of games in quick succession.
"Then when he can play 90 minutes and then do it again in the next game that will be very good for him."
