PNE host Championship table toppers Sheffield United this weekend in the final game before the international break.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Saturday 17th September, 3pm kick-off
Competition: Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 10/46)
Kit: Home kit – available in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture will remain on sale until kick-off from the ticket office, while fans can also buy over the phone on 0344 856 1966 and online from www.mypne.com.
The matchday shuttle bus will be running on Saturday, from Leyland through Bamber Bridge on its way to Deepdale. Full details, including timings, can be found 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
Supporters in the UK and Ireland can listen to the game live with a £2.50 match pass or £4.49 monthly pass, with live commentary from Jonathan Breeze and David Buchanan.
Fans overseas can watch live on iFollow PNE with a £10 match pass. Subscribe here!
You can also follow live coverage before, during, and after the game across our social media platforms.
In The Dressing Room
Ryan Lowe is again looking at picking from almost a fully-fit squad, with Ben Woodburn the only doubt.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who has been out of action since the win at Coventry at the end of August, has stepped up his recovery from injury and is now back out on the grass.
Andrew Hughes will be pushing for a start after making his return from a shoulder problem off the bench midweek, while Emil Riis could make his 100th appearance for Preston North End in this fixture.
A Look At Our Visitors
After losing in the Play-Offs to Nottingham Forest last season, Sheffield United have picked themselves up and become the early pace setters in this Championship campaign.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side have taken 20 points from their opening nine fixtures, sitting as the division’s second-highest scorers, while also posing the second meanest defence in the league – bettered only by PNE.
The Blades crucially held on to key players during the summer transfer window, the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge, while adding defensive sensation Anel Ahmedhodžić to their ranks.
Going Head To Head
Games played: 120
PNE wins: 36
Draws: 32
Sheffield United wins: 52
Last meeting: PNE 2-2 Sheffield United, 18th January 2022
One To Watch
A real fan favourite and one for the future, Iliman Ndiaye has been in superb form for Sheffield United so far this season, with four goals to his name.
The forward featured heavily during the last campaign, scoring seven times in 30 league games, but his performances have stepped up a level this term, bringing much more than goals to his game.
At the age of 22, he’s got plenty of strings to his bow – able to run the channels, carry the ball with great skill, and also drop deep for his side when needed – and it appears just a matter of time before he reaches the top flight.
Match Officials
On Saturday, Jeremy Simpson will referee a Preston North End game for the second time this season.
The previous occasion was the goalless draw against Hull City at Deepdale earlier this season, while Simpson also took charge of three PNE fixtures last campaign.
So far this term, he has refereed six games, showing 29 yellow cards in that time. He will be assisted on Saturday by Nigel Lugg and Lee Venamore, with Ben Toner on fourth official duties.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Manager Looking For
Goalscoring Kickstart Freddie Looks Ahead
To Sheffield United