A season like no other has two games to go and in terms of Deepdale, the curtain comes down on the 2020/21 campaign when Barnsley arrive on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors will be on a high, having secured a place in the end of season Play-Offs, but North End will too be full of confidence after last week’s win at Coventry City secured their Championship status.
They now have their sights on a positive end to the season, with a top half finish, still possible, if they can secure wins from their remaining games.
Whatever happens, hopefully this is the last game where no supporters will be inside Deepdale – and once the government confirm their return, we can see everyone return safely.
Match Information
Competition: EFL Sky Bet Championship (45/46)
Date: Saturday 1st May, kick-off 3pm
Venue: Deepdale
Kit: 2020/21 home kit – click here to buy it now!
Head To Head: PNE wins – 24; Draws – 15; Barnsley - 20
Team News
Daniel Johnson will not return before the end of the season and he joins Patrick Bauer and Declan Rudd on the sidelines for the final run out in PR1 this season.
Otherwise, there are no further issues for interim boss Frankie McAvoy, who will be hoping to continue the run of results since his appointment into the role.
For Valérian Ismaël, he could again be without Dominik Frieser who limped off just before half-time in their penultimate fixture, a Yorkshire derby with Huddersfield Town, due to a hamstring injury.
Match Officials
The referee appointed to take charge of Saturday's game will be refereeing at Deepdale for the second time, but his first since way back in September, when he sent Tom Barkhuizen off against Stoke City.
Matthew Donohue will be the man with the whistle for the game, having only officiated the Lilywhites once before that Potters clash, our 4-0 Carabao Cup first round win over Bradford City last season.
This season he has taken charge of 28 games, issuing 74 cautions and six red cards, including Barky and has taken charge of three Barnsley games; wins over Watford and Blackburn at Oakwell and away at Luton.
The other members of the third team involved in Saturday's clash see Shaun Hudson and Nik Barnard as the assistants and Chris Sarginson taking fourth official responsibilities.
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 PNE striker Brett Ormerod are on commentary duties, with replays, graphics and coverage from Deepdale from 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon.
Click here now to sign up for a match pass
Linked Stories
Frankie To Supporters: “We Miss You” - Preston North End’s interim head coach Frankie McAvoy is hoping that Saturday is the last time the side ever plays inside Deepdale without supporters. Click here for the full interview.
A Match To Remember: We go back 13 years in our look back, when Sean St. Ledger produced a moment of magic to give North End the three points at home to Barnsley. Click here for the details of the game we have covered.
Tom Barkhuizen Looking To Set The Record Straight: Preston North End forward Tom Barkhuizen says that the players are determined to avoid an unwanted record this weekend. Click here for Tom’s thoughts.
The One And Only Issue 23: For our final matchday programme of the 2020/21 season, we speak to on loan Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg. Click here for more information.
A Foot In Both Camps: Barnsley - We have a couple of players in the Preston North End squad who have pulled on the red of Barnsley and iFollow PNE sat down with loanee centre half Liam Lindsay to discuss the game. Click here for the interview.