Preston North End will host Sunderland at Deepdale this weekend for the opening home match of the Sky Bet Championship season.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 12th August, 3pm
Venue: Deepdale
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Kit: Home kit – available to buy in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Almost 19,000 tickets have been sold for this fixture and, subject to availability, tickets will remain on sale up until kick-off.
Those who have a previous purchase history can buy online from www.mypne.com, over the phone on 0344 856 1966, and in person from the ticket office at Deepdale.
The Gentry Bar will be open to PNE supporters from 11am, with full details and timings to be confirmed in our Matchday Information article which will be published ahead of matchday.
Who’s Available?
Greg Cunningham – who has missed the opening two fixtures of the season – is expected to be available this weekend, having trained all week.
Manager Ryan Lowe confirmed loanee Calvin Ramsay has suffered an injury setback, but dismissed claims that he has returned to parent club Liverpool.
Long-term absentee Ched Evans has had positive news but is still a way off returning, while Ben Whiteman, Emil Riis and Robbie Brady are still sidelined.
Pre-Match Chat
We caught up with manager Ryan Lowe and defender Liam Lindsay ahead of this weekend’s encounter.
Opposition Focus
In their first campaign back in the Championship last season following four terms in the third tier, Sunderland proved to be a surprise package and made it into the Play-Off places on the final day.
Losing to eventual winners Luton Town in the semi-final, Tony Mowbray’s side will be looking to go one better this season, and they’ve looked to strengthen their squad over the summer by bringing in the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Luis Semedo and Bradley Dack.
The Black Cats opened the campaign with a defeat at home to Ipswich Town and they were also being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday by League Two side Crewe Alexandra.
A Recent Clash
PNE and Sunderland shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Deepdale in 2017, with Josh Harrop and Jordan Hugill on the scoresheet for North End.
Follow The Action
Supporters in the UK and Ireland can listen to the match live on iFollow PNE, with a £2.50 match pass or £4.49 monthly pass. Commentary comes from Jonathan Breeze and Andy Fensome.
Fans overseas are able to watch the match live, with £10 match passes available to buy.
You can also follow the action across our social media channels and here on PNE.Com.
Match Officials
Referee: James Linington
Assistant Referees: Greg Read and Andrew Dallison
Fourth Official: Thomas Parsons
James Linington will referee his first match at Deepdale since February 2021 when North End won 3-0 against Huddersfield Town. He last officiated a PNE fixture in March 2022, away to Cardiff City.