Approximately a year ago Preston North End welcomed the Baggies' black country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers for a top of the table clash that North End lost.
This time round it's Roberto Di Matteo's West Bromwich Albion turn to visit Deepdale for a top three clash and the number of subplots surrounding it have got the media talking.
It's the first time Manager Alan Irvine will face the side he could have been managing had he chosen to take charge in the summer.
Out on the park, North End's number 1 Andy Lonergan could captain his side against another glove wearing skipper, and one of his best mates in football, Scott Carson. And in the middle of the park two former Baggies could feature for North End, Richard Chaplow and Darren Carter.
Two teams with great goalscoring records should be make for a match that you won't want to miss so make sure you get down to Deepdale at 12.45pm to experience the big match live.
Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion
Coca Cola Championship
Saturday 3rd October 2009, 12.45pm kick-off
Deepdale
Gaffer's Team News
"Paul's getting close, he won't be fit for the game and Callum won't be fit for the game either. I would hope Paul will start training with us next week, and that would be great because if he does that he gives himself a chance of being in contention for a place for the Queens Park Rangers game. Obviously Barry Nicholson's a long way away.
"I'm not sure if Callum will be ready when we start back up again but certainly Paul, all being well, will be in contention, and that's great for us. We just hope that in the meantime any of the boys who've been selected for international duty don't pick up injuries."
Try out PNE Player for free for 14 days to watch the full interview with the Gaffer
The Opposition
The Baggies had a double boost this week after former Manchester City striker Ishmael Miller signed a new five year contract at The Hawthorns and James Morrison returned to training following a long term heel injury.
The double boost will provide welcome relief to the Baggies support who have seen their team lose twice in the league since their magnificent five goal win over Middlesbrough.
One of the favourites to return to the Premiership after last season's relegation Di Matteo has only lost Jonathan Greening and Paul Robinson to Fulham and Bolton respectively.
Their frontline was the focus for improvement in the weeks after Di Matteo's arrival with Simon Cox and Reuben Reid arriving to strengthen an already impressive frontline.
The Black Country team started September well with three wins against Plymouth, Doncaster then Middlesbrough but ended it with three defeats against Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Barnsley.
They will be hoping to start October in similar fashion so Alan Irvine's men will have to be on guard against their attacking threat.
The Manager
"I think the last game was a bit of a step back for us. It was a case of two steps forward and then a step backwards. But you've got to stay balanced when you're doing well and try to analyse performances in a balanced way - and the same when you lose.
"We got defeated but you look at it and see why. We had a bad game on Tuesday but not everything we've done so far is bad. It's not like you need to put everything in a negative light.
"I'm looking to get a team that is difficult to beat and score, which we've seen before. I'm contemplating a few changes tomorrow but I haven't made my mind up yet.
"It's a long hard season and the results show that against anyone you have to be at the top of your game to pick up points."
Roberto Di Matteo tells wba.co.uk that his side may have changes tomorrow
The Player
"Every game we've played until Palace has been the kind where we've not really been knocked about. On Saturday and Tuesday a few players got ruffled up, opposition players put tackles in and we have to do the same.
"If that means winning nastily, like other teams are doing, then we need to do the same. Sometimes you need to take a 1-0 win with a scruffy goal.
"It will take a Middlesbrough-esque performance to beat Preston - it will take that and even more to beat them."
Albion skipper Scott Carson promises a much-improved performance at Preston on the Baggies' official website.
Head-to-Head
PNE's all-time record against West Bromwich Albion W39 D25 L44
PNE's all-time league record against West Bromwich Albion W37 D23 L36
Last Meeting
Preston North End 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
Mawene 5, Hawley 72, Gera 50
29th January 2008
Coca-Cola Championship
Deepdale
PNEBetting.com Odds
PNE and WBA 13/8 to win, draw 23/10
PNEBetting.com's Selected Bet
Eddie Nolan to score first in a 2-0 win - 270/1
All odds are courtesy of PNEBetting.com - our official online bookmaker. Terms and conditions apply.
PNE Player
Andy Fensome is our co-commentator again on PNE Player tomorrow, remember if you can't get to the game you can listen live on Central Radio in the PR1 region on 106.5FM but you can also listen free around the world on PNE Player by signing up for a free trial of our premium subscription service for 14 days. Click on the PNE Player logo at the top of the page to find out more.
Any Other Business?
This our first live televised game of the season with the Newcastle, Blackpool and Nottingham Forest games all still to come. There's nothing like seeing the goals fly in live though so make sure you get down for 12.45pm to support the lads as they bid to go second for the first time in over a year.
