Preston North End are back at Deepdale to host Birmingham City this weekend after three successive games away from home.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Saturday 3rd September, 3pm kick-off
Competition: Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 8/46)
Kit: Home kit – available in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture will remain on sale right up until kick-off from the ticket office, while you can also buy online from www.mypne.com or by calling 0344 856 1966.
The matchday shuttle bus service will be running for this fixture, with an extra stop now added in Bamber Bridge. You can find full details on the service by clicking here.
Home supporters can join us in the fan zone at Deepdale before and after the game, with doors opening pre-match at 12 noon, with live music and refreshments on offer, while it will also reopen after full-time.
How To Follow The Game
Fans worldwide are able to listen to the game live on iFollow PNE with a £2.50 match pass or a £4.49 monthly pass. Commentary comes from Guy Clarke and David Buchanan.
Supporters overseas can watch the game live on iFollow; you can subscribe to a £10 match pass by clicking here.
There will also be extensive coverage of the game across our social media channels before, during and after the game.
In The Dressing Room
After limping off with an ankle injury in the midweek victory over Coventry City, Ben Woodburn is expected to go for a scan on Friday to discover the extent of his injury.
Bambo Diaby and Sean Maguire have both been back in training recently, and the Senegalese defender is ahead of the Irishman in his recovery according to Ryan Lowe, but there is a chance both could be available.
Andrew Hughes’ ongoing shoulder injury will also be assessed ahead of the weekend.
A Look At Our Visitors
There’s a new man in the dugout at St Andrew’s this season, with John Eustace taking the reins as head coach, and his side arrive at Deepdale after a mixed start to the Championship season.
They’ve won once, drawn twice and lost on four occasions so far, and they’ll still be hurting from the 93rd-minute Onel Hernandez goal which saw Norwich City earn a last-gasp victory in the Midlands on Tuesday night.
Birmingham could hand a debut to left back Emmanuel Longelo, on loan from West Ham United, while Hannibal Mejbri – a Manchester United loanee – will push for a first Blues start.
Going Head To Head
Games played: 101
PNE wins: 40
Draws: 25
Birmingham City wins: 36
Last meeting: PNE 1-1 Birmingham City, 15th January 2022
One To Watch
Brought in on loan from Arsenal in July, left-sided defender Auston Trusty has made a bright start to life with Blues.
All of the United States international’s previous experience came in his native country, playing for the likes of Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids, but he has adapted well to Championship football.
Fans have got right behind the 24-year-old, who has played every minute of league action so far, and he’ll be hoping to help his side to a second clean sheet of the season on Saturday.
Match Officials
James Bell will take charge of his first Preston North End game on Saturday afternoon.
The referee first stepped up to the Football League in the 2020/21 season, while he was promoted to take charge of Championship fixtures only this campaign.
So far this term, he’s taken charge of a Carabao Cup fixture and two second tier games, producing seven yellow cards in those fixtures.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Ryan Previews Birmingham
City Match Ali Aiming For
Winning Streak