Preston North End are at Deepdale for the first time this year on Saturday as Bristol City make the journey to Lancashire.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 13th January, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Deepdale
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Kit: Home kit
Supporter Information
Tickets for this match will remain on sale up until kick-off in person from the Deepdale ticket office, over the phone on 0344 856 1966, and online.
PNE fans can head to The Gentry Bar from 11am for pre-match drinks and live entertainment, while it will also reopen after full-time. Full opening times and offerings will be confirmed in our Matchday Information article.
The matchday shuttle bus will be running as normal for fans to use, with return tickets costing £6 on-board. Timings for the service are as follows:
Leyland Tesco (Stop A – Car Park) – 1.20pm
The Railway Pub, Leyland – 1.30pm
Ye Olde Hob Inn, Bamber Bridge – 1.35pm
Beam and Brycg Pub, Bamber Bridge – 1.40pm
Arrive at Deepdale, Lowthorpe Road – 2pm
As part of EFL Community Weekend, there will be plenty going on to highlight the work of the Preston North End Community and Education Trust, including programme participants attending and forming a pre-match guard of honour. More details will be confirmed ahead of matchday.
Who’s Available?
Andrew Hughes, who went off injured at Stamford Bridge after colliding with the goalpost, is fit and available for Saturday's match.
Fellow defender Jack Whatmough will be missing again, though, and is expected to be sidelined for the next few weeks with a knee issue.
Aside from Jack, the manager expects to be able to pick from a fully-fit squad for this one.
Opposition Focus
Bristol City arrive at Deepdale following a spirited display against West Ham United in the Emirates FA Cup third round, as they forced a replay in front of their 9,000 travelling fans.
It’s been all change for the Robins since the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season, with former Oxford United head coach Liam Manning now the man in charge.
He’s overseen a decent run of form in recent weeks, having lost just once in their previous six outings, and Manning has challenged his players to reach the same levels on Saturday afternoon that they did last weekend against the Hammers in London.
A Recent Clash
A late strike from Will Keane earned PNE a point at Ashton Gate in the opening fixture of the 2023/24 season.
Follow The Action
Supporters worldwide can listen to the match live on iFollow, with commentary coming from Guy Clarke and Andy Fensome. Audio match and monthly passes are available to buy here.
Fans outside of the UK and Ireland will also have the option to watch the game with a £10 match pass, while half-season passes are still on sale.
You can also find extensive coverage before, during, and after the match here on the club website and across the club’s social media channels.
Match Officials
Referee: Sam Barrott
Assistant Referees: Jonathan Hunt and Daniel Leach
Fourth Official: Simon Mather
Sam Barrott will take charge of a PNE match for the first time in his career this weekend, having made the step up to Championship and occasionally Premier League football this campaign.
In the 24 matches he’s been the main official for so far, he’s shown 77 yellow cards and three reds.