It's a first midweek fixture under the lights at Deepdale since October's Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, as Sheffield United make the journey across the Pennines on Tuesday evening.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Tuesday 18th January, 7.45pm kick-off
Competition: EFL Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 25/46)
Kit: Home kit – available to order here!
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture will remain on sale up until kick-off from the ticket office at Deepdale, while supporters can also buy over the phone on 0344 856 1966 or online from www.mypne.com.
Fans attending will once again be required to provide evidence of their Covid-19 certification. Please read the full information regarding this by clicking here.
Our fan zone will be open from 5.30pm, with the usual offering of refreshments and live music. It will also then reopen after the game, with last orders at 10.15pm.
Match Coverage
Supporters worldwide, including those in the UK and Ireland, will be able to watch the game live on iFollow PNE with a £10 match pass. Get yours now by clicking here.
Live commentary is also available for £2.50, whereas we will be providing the usual coverage across our social media channels and here on PNE.Com.
Matchday Programme
Midfielder Ben Whiteman is our cover star and featured interview in Tuesday night's edition of The One And Only.
The former Sheffield United man discusses his move to Bramall Lane as a teenager, making his debut in place of ex-PNE midfielder Paul Coutts and much more.
Pick up a copy from around the ground for £3.50, while you can also order to your home through our publishing partners Ignition Sports Media.
Please note, this programme is the same issue which was printed for the game's initial Boxing Day date.
PNE Team News
Ryan Lowe confirmed in his pre-match interview with iFollow that Josh Earl will miss out for the second game in a row with an ankle injury.
Ryan Ledson also missed the Birmingham City game through injury, but he is back in training and is expected to be available for selection.
Tom Barkhuizen will also be hoping to be included again after making his return from injury at the weekend following a month and a half on the sidelines.
The Opposition
Sheffield United come into this fixture level on points with PNE, with goal difference seeing the Blades just a position ahead of Ryan Lowe’s men.
Like North End, they have recently seen a change in management, with Paul Heckingbottom replacing Slavisa Jokanovic at the end of November.
He made an immediate impact, winning his first three games in charge of the side where he was previously U23s boss, but they arrive at Deepdale having lost their last two in all competitions.
Key Stats
Both Ben Whiteman and Daniel Iversen could make their 50th appearance in all competitions for PNE in this fixture.
Sheffield United are one of the top ball-keepers in the division, averaging 59.5% possession per game, with only Swansea City and Fulham bettering that number.
Top of the scoring charts in the league so far this season for Sheffield United is Billy Sharp, who has six to his name, and he is now just one goal behind all-time Championship top goalscorer and former PNE man David Nugent.
Our Last Meeting
Emil Riis scored a last-gasp equaliser in the reverse fixture between these two earlier this season, firing home a volley to make it 2-2 in the 95th minute.
Daniel Johnson scored his 50th goal for Preston North End that night to make it 1-1 early in the first half, but it looked as though Sheffield United would take all three points as they went ahead on 84 minutes, but up popped Riis to earn a point.
Man In The Middle
Experienced EFL official David Webb will take charge of his second PNE game of the season, with the previous fixture being North End’s 2-1 victory away to AFC Bournemouth earlier this campaign.
Webb’s first time refereeing the Lilywhites came back in 2009, when goals from Neil Mellor and Billy Jones earned victory for Alan Irvine’s side over Peterborough United.
So far this term, Webb has shown 71 yellow cards and one red.
Pre-Match Interviews
Ryan Expects 'Good Footballing
Side' In Blades Test Barky Keen To
Impress Gaffer