Preston North End will return to Deepdale early Saturday evening to take on Blackburn Rovers in an all-Lancashire clash.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Saturday 22nd April, 5.30pm kick-off
Competition: EFL Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 44/46)
Kit: Home kit – 50% off in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Subject to availability, tickets for this fixture will be available until kick-off in person from the Deepdale ticket office, while fans can also buy over the phone on 0344 856 1966 and online from www.mypne.com.
The Gentry Bar will be open for just the second time this weekend, with doors opening from 2.30pm. There will be the usual selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available, as well as food trucks just outside of the fan zone. Full details will be included in the Matchday Information article, to be published ahead of Saturday.
PNE fans are being encouraged by those at PNE-Online to take part in a 'Deepdale Whiteout' on Saturday by wearing a North End home shirt or anything white!
Supporters can use the club’s matchday shuttle bus service to get to and from the ground on Saturday, with full timings below. Return tickets cost £5 and can be paid to the driver when boarding the bus.
Leyland Tesco (Stop A – Car Park) – 3.50pm
The Railway Pub, Leyland – 4pm
Ye Olde Hob Inn, Bamber Bridge – 4.05pm
Beam and Brycg Pub, Bamber Bridge – 4.10pm
Arrive at Deepdale, Lowthorpe Road – 4.30pm
How To Follow The Game
As this game has been selected for Sky Sports coverage, the match is unable to be shown live on iFollow PNE in the majority of regions around the world. Supporters are advised to check their local TV listings to see if they can watch the game in their area.
Live audio commentary will be available as usual, though, with match passes available for £2.50, while monthly passes can be bought for £4.49. Click here to subscribe now.
You can also follow live coverage of the game across our social media channels and here on PNE.Com.
In The Dressing Room
Bambo Diaby will be unavailable for this game and the following three matches due to a retrospective suspension from the FA.
Ali McCann made his return from injury during the week against Swansea City, playing 45 minutes as a substitute, but manager Ryan Lowe said in his pre-match press conference that they will need to manage his minutes.
There are no fresh injury concerns heading into the weekend, with Alan Browne, Ched Evans, Emil Riis and Greg Cunningham all still sidelined.
A Look At Our Visitors
Heading into the weekend’s round of fixtures, Blackburn Rovers are occupying the final Play-Off position, but come Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off the table may look differently.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side have been in the top six pretty much all season long, but one win in their last seven games has seen other clubs close the gap on the Play-Off spots.
Rovers have some tough games coming up between now and the end of the season too, with their final three matches after Saturday being against sides in the top five of the division – including fierce rivals and league leaders Burnley.
Going Head To Head
Games played: 110
PNE wins: 46
Draws: 30
Blackburn Rovers wins: 34
Last meeting: Blackburn Rovers 1-4 PNE, 10th December 2022
One To Watch
Academy graduate Hayden Carter is enjoying his best year with Rovers yet, having featured over 30 times in all competitions this term.
The central defender spent last season on loan with League One side Portsmouth and he returned to Ewood Park a better player for it.
Having become a regular in the heart of defence, Carter was rewarded with a long-term deal at the end of March 2023, keeping him with Rovers until June 2027.
Match Officials
Premier League official Rob Jones will be the man in the middle this weekend.
It will be the first time Jones has taken charge of North End since February 2022 – a goalless draw at Deepdale against Huddersfield Town.
Jones has officiated 25 games so far this campaign, showing 97 yellow cards in that period, and he will this weekend be assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis and Wade Smith, while Jeremy Simpson will be on fourth official duties.