So Jackson believes the game won't be one for the faint-hearted and thinks the action will be a treat for the crowd which is approaching a sell-out.
The centre-half, who spent a month on loan at Preston earlier in his career, said: "This is a huge game for Lancashire and shows what great progress Wigan and Preston have made.
"It should be a great derby atmosphere inside Deepdale and a real humdinger of a game.
"I would expect a good quality performance from Preston because they've been on a good run and are a good side, particularly at home.
"There's an awful lot at stake with us going for automatic promotion while they will want to be secure in the play-offs.
"It all comes down to local pride and both sets of supporters are desperate for the right result.
"We'll go there with confidence and it will suit us that Preston will be playing to win rather then just get a draw like Queens Park Rangers did on Saturday.
"We've been good away from home this season and we tend to play better against the good sides in the division."
The Latics squad returned to training this morning after being given a couple of days off following the QPR game.
Jason Roberts, Nathan Ellington and Jimmy Bullard were back from London where they received an award for being named in the PFA's Championship team of the season on Sunday night.
Manager Paul Jewell has paid his own tribute to the trio but also given the whole squad a pat on the back for their achievements so far this term.
He said: "Nathan, Jason and Jimmy have been immense for us all season and I can't praise them highly enough.
"Not only are they great players but they are great people as well and should all feel very proud to be recognised in this way.
"The team ethic is everything to us and these awards are a pat on the back for everyone connected with the club.
"What we have achieved so far this season is down to a collective effort from everyone in the squad and the coaching staff.
"It is also a sign of how far we've come at Wigan that players now feature heavily in the Championship team of the season."
Latics have extended Magno Vieira's loan spell at Carlisle United for a further month to cover their involvement in the Conference play-offs.
The Cumbrians finished third in the table and face Aldershot in the two-legged semi-final.
Vieira has spent a large chunk of the season with Carlisle in an attempt to widen his football education.
He still has a year to run on his contract with Latics and is expected to return to the club in the summer.