Preston North End will host local rivals Wigan Athletic at Deepdale this weekend, almost seven months on from the goalless draw between the two on the opening day of the Championship season.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Saturday 25th February, 3pm kick-off
Competition: Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 33/46)
Kit: Home kit – available in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture will remain on sale right up until kick-off, with fans able to buy online from www.mypne.com, in person from the Deepdale ticket office and over the phone on 0344 856 1966.
The fan zone, located by the Alan Kelly Town End car park, will be open to PNE supporters from 12 noon, with live music and a selection of food and drink available. Full details will be confirmed in our Matchday Information article, to be published later this week.
Supporters can use the matchday shuttle bus service to get to and from the ground on Saturday, with the bus starting at Leyland and going through Bamber Bridge on its way to Deepdale. Find full details regarding the service here.
How To Follow The Game
Supporters in the UK and Ireland can listen to this game live on iFollow PNE, with both audio match and monthly passes available to buy here.
Fans overseas also have the option of watching the match live, with £10 match passes available to purchase by clicking here.
There will also be the usual extensive match coverage across our social media channels and here on PNE.Com.
Matchday Programme
Defender Bambo Diaby is on the front cover of this weekend’s matchday programme!
The centre half, who came on as a half-time substitute in last weekend’s draw against Hull City, gives a featured interview as he discusses his season so far, life off the pitch and much more.
You can pick up a programme for £3.50 from around the ground on the day of the game, or order a copy to be delivered to your home by clicking here.
In The Dressing Room
PNE will be without Ched Evans as he serves the final game of his suspension, while Ben Whiteman still has two matches to go before he can return to action.
Andrew Hughes, who was forced off through injury in the first half against Hull City, will be assessed ahead of the weekend, but manager Ryan Lowe stressed he would not be rushed back.
North End will be missing Ali McCann, who is expected to be sidelined for the next eight to ten weeks with a thigh injury, as well as long-term absentee Emil Riis.
A Look At Our Visitors
Wigan Athletic will arrive at Deepdale this weekend sat at the base of the Championship table, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
Having gone nine games without a win under Kolo Toure, the Latics became rooted to the bottom, however since the arrival of former player Shaun Maloney as manager at the end of January, their form has certainly improved.
The ex-Belgium national team coach has made his new side far more difficult to break down, having conceded just once in their previous four outings, while also going unbeaten during that run, and he’ll be hoping their upturn in form continues as they look to avoid the drop.
Going Head To Head
Games played: 48
PNE wins: 20
Draws: 15
Wigan Athletic wins: 13
Last victory: Wigan Athletic 1-2 PNE, 8th February 2020
One To Watch
Former Preston North End loanee Will Keane is unquestionably the biggest goal threat which Wigan possess.
Having netted 26 goals in League One last season, the Republic of Ireland international forward has reached double figures in the Championship this term for what is comfortably his best tally in the second tier to date.
The 30-year-old could be partnered up top by Ashley Fletcher or Danel Sinani this weekend, with the latter having joined on loan from Norwich City in January.
Match Officials
On Saturday, Preston North End will be refereed by Thomas Bramall for the second time this season.
Bramall last took charge of a North End fixture in August 2022, when Ryan Lowe’s side lost narrowly to Wolves in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
So far this season, Bramall has refereed 23 matches – including five Premier League games – and has shown 70 yellow cards and one red during that run.