Ahead of fixture release day on Thursday 24th June, we turn our attention to the 2021/22 Championship line-up.
The most notable addition to the league will of course be PNE’s fierce Lancashire rivals Blackpool, whose 2-1 victory at Wembley over Lincoln City sealed a return to the second tier for the first time since 2015 – the same year which the Lilywhites earned promotion themselves.
North End haven’t met the Seasiders since 2013 when captain Tom Clarke scored a late winner for Simon Grayson’s side, so the two fixtures against Blackpool will certainly be the ones which the Deepdale faithful will be looking for once fixtures are announced on 24th June.
Joining Blackpool coming up from League One will be Peterborough United and Hull City, with both clubs sealing automatic promotion.
Former PNE manager Darren Ferguson led the Posh back to the Championship for the first time since 2013, whereas Hull were able to bounce back after their relegation in the 2019/20 campaign.
Coming down from the Premier League are three teams which the Lilywhites are well familiar with, given that all three have been in the Championship within the last few years.
Fulham and West Brom were unable to avoid the drop at the first time of asking following their promotions in 2019/20.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United could not replicate their brilliant ninth-placed finish from their first campaign back in the Premier League, as they finished bottom of the table in the season just gone.
They’ll be under new management with Slavisa Jokanovic recently appointed, whereas West Brom currently have an empty dugout following the departure of former PNE man Sam Allardyce.
North End will not face Norwich City, Watford and Brentford after their promotions to the top flight, while Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers will compete in League One.
Full Championship line-up:
AFC Bournemouth
Barnsley
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Blackpool
Bristol City
Cardiff City
Coventry City
Derby County
Fulham
Huddersfield Town
Hull City
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Nottingham Forest
Peterborough United
Preston North End
Queens Park Rangers
Reading
Sheffield United
Stoke City
Swansea City
West Bromwich Albion
Each day before the fixtures are released next Thursday, we will be taking a more forensic look at the six new teams competing in the Championship next season on PNE.Com.