Preston North End and Blackpool will come head to head in the latest instalment of the West Lancashire derby at Deepdale this Saturday lunchtime.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Saturday 1st April, 12.30pm kick-off
Competition: EFL Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 39/46)
Kit: Home kit – 30% off in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture are on sale to supporters on the club's database prior to and including the Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup fixture in January 2023. These fans can buy online from www.mypne.com, in person from the ticket office and over the phone on 0344 856 1966.
There is limited availability remaining for supporters who would like to purchase a ticket, or swap their usual season card seat, to the Bill Shankly Kop for Saturday’s game. Fans in the Kop should note that there will be no alcohol sales during half-time to either home or away supporters in this stand.
The fan zone will be open to PNE fans before the game, with doors opening from 10am, and it will also reopen after the match. Full timings and details can be found in our Matchday Information article.
Fans should be aware that Lowthorpe Road – between its junctions on Blackpool Road and Lowthorpe Crescent – will be blocked to pedestrians and vehicles from 9.30am until around 3pm on the day of the game. There will also be no access to Lowthorpe Road at its junction with Bill Shankly Crescent.
The matchday shuttle bus will be running for this fixture, with return tickets costing £5 and supporters can pay the driver once boarding the bus. Full timings can be found below:
Leyland Tesco (Stop A – Car Park) – 10.50am
The Railway Pub, Leyland – 11am
Ye Olde Hob Inn, Bamber Bridge – 11.05am
Beam and Brycg Pub, Bamber Bridge – 11.10am
Arrive at Deepdale, Lowthorpe Road – 11.30am
How To Follow The Game
As this derby match has been selected for Sky Sports coverage, the game will be unavailable to watch live on iFollow PNE in regions worldwide.
Live commentary will, however, be available as usual, with Guy Clarke and Andy Fensome on the mic – audio match and monthly passes can be purchased here.
There will also be plenty of coverage before, during, and after the game on our social media channels and here on PNE.Com.
In The Dressing Room
Manager Ryan Lowe confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Greg Cunningham will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.
Liam Lindsay, who has been absent in recent weeks, is back in full training and will be in contention to feature, while striker Ched Evans will be assessed ahead of the game.
All players who were away on international duty during the past fortnight have returned to Euxton unscathed.
A Look At Our Visitors
Mick McCarthy’s side arrive at Deepdale in need of points if they’re to avoid the drop come May, as they currently sit four points below the dotted line.
The season started with former PNE man Michael Appleton in charge and, after his departure in the middle of January, the experienced McCarthy came in and has since overseen two wins.
With teams at either end of the division still to come in the Seasiders’ end of season run-in, there could be plenty of ups and downs between now and 8th May.
Going Head To Head
Games played: 97
PNE wins: 46
Draws: 19
Blackpool wins: 32
Last PNE victory: PNE 1-0 Blackpool, 5th April 2022
One To Watch
One man the Tangerines will be looking towards to help them escape the threat of relegation is forward Jerry Yates.
The 26-year-old striker has 12 goals to his name in all competitions so far this season – including the two which he scored in the reverse fixture against North End back in October.
As the club’s main source of goals, Yates will be desperate to add more to his tally before the end of the campaign, especially given the ACL injury which Gary Madine suffered before the international break.
Match Officials
Experienced Premier League official Andre Marriner will be taking charge of Saturday’s Lancashire derby.
It will be the first time he has refereed a PNE match since January 2021, when North End lost 1-0 on the road against Sheffield Wednesday.
So far this season, Marriner has shown 57 yellow cards and two reds in his 17 matches.