When the fixtures were announced last summer there were a couple of matches North End fans were looking forward to like the games against local rivals Blackpool, Billy Davies' Nottingham Forest and a few more but none stuck out more than the February trip to St James' Park.
Tickets sold out for the game within a fortnight and had demand been met there would have been at least 5,000 North Enders travelling in bowler hats and suits for the club's annual gentry day.
As it is, just over 2,800 supporters are making the journey, with most making a night of it after the game, and they will hoping that the men in red (PNE's away colour of the day) can upset the odds and become the first team to defeat the Magpies at St James' Park in the league this season.
Unbeaten at home in all competitions Chris Hughton's team have occupied one of the top two slots for the majority of the season and the Geordies are deservedly targetting the top slot as the Championship enters the final strait.
North End go into the big game on the back of a good goalscoring performance at Pride Park however minds will be focussed on keeping out the likes of Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and former PNE loanee Andy Carroll.
PNE last ran out at Newcastle's stronghold in 1987 when North End's promotion-challenging side were edged out 2-0 in the FA Cup fourth round and six years before that saw the date of our last league visit there, the result the same.
Gentry day is being celebrated by the PNE fans this weekend, all connected with North End will be hoping that the celebrations can be tinted with the taste of three points.
Newcastle United versus Preston North End
Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday 20th February
Kick-off 3pm
Gaffer's Team News
"There's no injury news really, everyone seems okay. I've got to be careful with Youl and Harty, I had a godo chat with them on monday and they were very tired but that's why you have a squad. Youl's struggled to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday and has played a lot of games in a short space of time, likewise with Harty whose been out for a long time so I have to take that into consideration. But he's freshened up, Youl;s looked good in training so we'll have a look at it again."
The manager gives PNE Player an update on the injuries ahead of the game
The Opposition
Last summer was a traumatic time for followers of Newcastle United as their club were routinely described in the press and on the radio and TV shows as a 'crisis club'.
Many observers predicted a tough transition to the Championship after the likes of Michael Owen, Sebastien Bassong, Habib Beye, Obafemi Martins and Damien Duff were sold.
Danny Simpson was the lone arrival on loan from Manchester United, a deal which has since been made permanent, and with confusion reigning off the park Chris Hughton took the reins as caretaker manager.
The expected tough transition hasn't materialised and Hughton has guided the Magpies expertly to the top of the table with a couple of months of the season remaining.
The former Spurs defender has been aided by the presence of many of the players who played in the Premiership last season with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Fabricio Collocini, Steve Harper and Alan Smith pivotal to their success.
In the transfer window the purse strings were loosened after injuries decimated Hughton's squad and Wayne Routledge, Mike Williamson, Leon Best, Fitz Hall and Patrick Van Aanholt all arrived to strengthen Hughton's hand.
Newcastle United have won three games from nine in the Championship however nine goals in the last two home games suggest the Geordies have undergone an improvement, and one which they hope can be continued until the season's end.
The Opposition Manager
"One thing I knew was that we'd have chances. I knew we would force the issue, but when the opposition scores, it gives them a lift, and they can defend well.
"It could have ended up being a scrappy affair. I think the fact that we got the goal back before half-time was a big plus for us, and, of course, it enabled us to go on and get the result.
"It's difficult for them at that stage - what do they do? Do they sit back and protect the lead? One thing you know we are going to do is keep pushing to the end.
"The responsibility for us at the end was when we got the third, could we get a fourth? You're looking to push and try and lift that goal difference as much as you can.
"We had good offensive options. Even earlier in the game, I thought we always threatened. We got a lot of balls in the box, and you just hope when you do, you get enough quality in. Probably, we just lacked that quality in the early part of the game."
Newcastle Manager Chris Hughton expresses his delight at his side's attacking prowess after the 4-1 win over Coventry City, in the Evening Chronicle
The Opposition Player
"Getting relegated last season was a real downer for the whole city. And we owe it to the city to get promoted because it will give the entire place a massive lift.
"It will lift the fans and the players too. We need to get up and stay up and that's what we are planning to do. We just need to keep working really hard in the last 15 games to do it.
"I can't even remember the last time we got promoted. But I don't need to be told just how much it means if we do it this season. This is my first season playing regularly for the first team, and if my goals help us achieve our aim of being promoted, then great. I'm happy to be scoring goals and winning matches."
Former PNE loan striker Andy Carroll reveals how much it would mean to be part of a promotion winning side to the Evening Chronicle
Last Meeting
Preston North End 0 Newcastle United 1
Nolan, 74
Coca-Cola Championship
23rd November 2009, kick-off 8pm
Head-to-Head
PNE's overall head-to-head record with Newcastle United - W32 D12 L34
PNE's overall league head-to-head record with Newcastle United - W29 D12 L32
PNEBetting.com
Newcastle 8/15 Draw 14/5 PNE 11/2
PNEBetting.com's Selected Bet
Ross Wallace to score first in 2-1 PNE win - 220/1
*Bet in-play on more than 30 markets on the game against Newcastle only on pnebetting.com*
PNE Player
PNE Player will be live from 2pm on Saturday with preview interviews with the manager Darren Ferguson and new signing Tom Willliams. Sign up for pne.com/player to listen live on Saturday and watch highlights of the game on Sunday evening.
Any other business?
It's gentry day on Saturday so if you're going then remember to doff your bowler hat - more details can be found here.
