The first game of September is at Deepdale on Saturday 4th, when PNE will host Colchester United.
Founded: 1937
Nickname: The U’s
Stadium: Weston Homes Community Stadium
Manager: Joe Dunne
Last Season: 16th in League One
Colchester United survived a relegation battle last term to end the season in 16th place, just six points clear of the bottom four.
It was a tight finish to the season at the foot of League One, but the U’s secured their safety with a surprise 4-1 win away to promoted Brentford.
This season will be their seventh in League One and manager Joe Dunne will be hoping to have a more comfortable season in charge next year.
There has already been some activity this summer, captain Brian Wilson and striker Clinton Morrison have left the Club, both with contracts expiring this summer. Wilson made 41 appearances last season and has been at the Club for the last four seasons, but is expected to sign for a new side this summer.
Morrison has left the Club to get more game time after making just 19 starts and at the age of 34, the striker wants more game time before retiring from playing.
Dunne has strengthened his squad over the summer already in the hope of avoiding a similar fight next season. Just yesterday it was announced the Club had signed goalkeeper Chris Lewington and defenders Sean Clohessy and Ben Gordon on free transfers, to add to their earlier summer signings.
North End will know what to expect to some extent when they face Colchester next season. In November, Simon Grayson’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at Deepdale, with Luke Garbutt cancelling out Joe Garner’s earlier header.
In the return fixture in February, the Lilywhites came out 2-1 winners at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Tom Clarke put North End ahead before the half hour mark, but Jabo Ibehere scored on 55 minutes to level the score.
On the 82nd minute, U’s defender Brian Wilson put the ball in his own net to secure three points for PNE.
The return fixture this time around will be played on the final day of the season at Weston Homes Community stadium on Saturday 2rd May.
Sky Bet Odds
League One Winner – 66/1
Promotion – 25/1
Relegation - 13/8
Place your bets via PNEBetting.Com, and this will benefit Preston North End when you place your bet.
See our map below for different routes to get you to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.