Championship | Gameweek 24

Dec 29, 2024 at 12.30pm UK

Deepdale

Preston vs Sheffield Wednesday

Match preview

The hosts spent much of the game defending in the lower block against Hull, and to their credit they managed to limit the Tigers to just one big chance.

Head coach Paul Heckingbottom expressed relief that his team were able to capitalise on their opponents, saying: "We have been far more dominant than that in many games and only got one point. I am really pleased that, in one of those games where the margins are so fine, we've won."

Heckingbottom's side have been hard to beat, losing just once in their last eight games, although they have drawn five times in that time, including a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on 7 December.

Preston's record of 23 goals scored and 29 conceded in the Championship makes them the 18th best attacking and 10th best defensive team in the division.

The Lilywhites' form at Deepdale has been underwhelming, with five draws, two defeats and just one win in their last eight home games.

The visitors come into the game having come from three goals down in the first half to draw with Middlesbrough, although they will be disappointed not to have taken all three points as the scores were level in the 61st minute and Middlesbrough were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute.

Manager Danny Rohl attributed the second-half fightback to his tactical changes, telling reporters: ""We changed the shape to a 4-1-4-1 and controlled more their sixes and another in behind them to help us. Before the game, you always try to think what you can do and how a game might play out but we changed it and it was important that the players believed in it."

Rohl's side have found the back of the net eight times in their last three games, the same number as in their previous seven outings.

Sheffield Wednesday's form has been strong considering they have won four and drawn two of their last seven games.

The Owls' away record is arguably more impressive, with the visitors having won three and drawn one of their last four away games.

Recent Performance

Preston North End Championship form:DDWDLW

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form:WDLWWD

Team News

Centre-backs Jordan Storey, Jack Whatmough and Andrew Hughes could all start in front of goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Benjamin Whiteman and Alistair McCann formed a double pivot against Hull and could start again on Sunday.

In attack, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen is likely to partner Preston strikers Milutin Osmajic and Sam Greenwood.

Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, will be without defender Akin Famewo, who is not expected to return to action until early January.

The visitors could field Dominic Iorfa, Gabriel Otegbayo and Max Lowe in a back three behind midfielders Shea Charles and Barry Bannan.

Josh Windass and Djeidi Gassama started up front against Middlesbrough and the duo are likely to play in a supporting role behind Jamal Lowe.

Possible starting lineup

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Storey, Whatmough, Hughes; Potts, Whiteman, McCann, Kesler-Hayden; Frokjaer-Jensen; Osmajic, Greenwood

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Beadle; Iorfa, Otegbayo, M Lowe; Valery, Charles, Bannan, Johnson; Windass, Gassama; J Lowe