North End make the short trip across the Pennines for their second away game of the week, as they take on Carlos Corberán’s Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
The former Leeds United U23 coach took over at the John Smith’s Stadium in the summer and has done an excellent job so far, with the Terriers five games unbeaten in recent weeks.
The last game between the two sides saw a goalless draw played out in July, our hosts then under the management of the Cowley brothers, but this one is set to be very different to the last one.
A change of style has coincided with the change in results and it will be a tough test for PNE, who have one less recovery day after their midweek victory over Queens Park Rangers in the capital on Wednesday night.
Match Information
Competition: EFL Sky Bet Championship (7/46)
Date: Saturday 24th October, kick-off 3pm
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kit: 2020/21 third ‘green’ kit – click here to buy it now!
Head To Head: PNE wins – 34; Draws – 23; Huddersfield Town - 35
Team News
Manager Alex Neil will again wait until last minute before checking on the availability of the two Ben’s, Pearson and Davies, who missed the trip to QPR in the week.
Darnell Fisher and Louis Moult are the only other players who will definitely be absent, with no new injury concerns picked up during the game in London.
For the hosts, Danny Ward needs more time for recovery and Álex Vallejo is in an isolation period, after signing at the end of the window, but Corberán has no other injury worries.
Opposition View
Carlos Corberán: “Alex Neil is working very well with Preston. They're a very aggressive team without the ball. You know they will press. This game will be a challenge and a demanding game."
Richard Stearman: “Preston are a very hard working and well organised side. They got a good win the other night and their away form is pretty good.”
Match Officials
Josh Smith will referee the game, his first ever game officiating either North End or Huddersfield and only his second ever Championship game, his first being the goalless draw between Barnsley and Coventry City last month.
It is just his second year on the EFL lists and this will be his seventh game of the season, having so far issued 13 cautions and no red cards in the games refereed to this point.
He will be assisted by Rob Merchant and Ian Cooper, with experience official David Webb the fourth official.
Match Coverage
North End fans can watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow PNE, with purchases of a £10 match pass available now.
Jonathan Breeze and former North End striker Brett Ormerod are on commentary duties, with replays, graphics and coverage from the John Smith’s Stadium from 2.45pm on Saturday afternoon.
Click here now to sign up for a match pass
Linked Stories
Alex Neil On Facing ‘Extremely Different’ Terriers: Manager Alex Neil says it is a very different Huddersfield Town his side will face on Saturday to the one they played at the John Smith’s Stadium back in July. Click here for the full interview.
A Match To Remember: We go back 30 years in our latest look back to memorable matches from the past against our latest opponent. Click here for the details.
Daniel Johnson On Terriers Test: Preston North End midfielder Daniel Johnson missed the Lilywhites’ two games against Huddersfield Town last season, but is hoping to be selected for this weekend’s trip to the John Smith’s Stadium. Click here for DJ’s thoughts.
A Foot In Both Camps - Huddersfield Town: Former North End captain and player of the year winner Chris Lucketti looks ahead to a clash of his former clubs at the John Smith’s Stadium at the weekend. Click here to see what he had to say.