Preston North End (A) | Match Preview
The Game
Preston North End v Argyle. Deepdale. Saturday, 16 September. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Preston have had an excellent start to the season. They began with a 1-1 draw at Bristol City, and since then have reeled off four consecutive league wins. They have won both their home league fixtures 2-1, against Sunderland and Swansea City, either side of a 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday. Most recently, they won 2-0 at Stoke City.
This unbeaten start has seen the Lilywhites, who finished 12th last season, rise to the top of the division at this early stage.
The Gaffer
Ryan Lowe became Preston's manager in December 2021, accepting the Lancashire club's offer to take over from Frankie McAvoy and, in the process, leaving Argyle.
Lowe had taken over at Home Park in the summer of 2019, after Argyle's relegation to Sky Bet League Two. He immediately steered the Greens back to the third tier, then to an 18th-placed finish the following season.
As a player, Lowe played for the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere Rovers, as well as having several stints with Crewe Alexandra and Bury. It was the latter with whom he finished his playing days, and became the Shakers' manager. He took them to promotion at the first attempt, before joining Argyle.
The Squad
Striker Will Keane (below) is one of five players to have four goals so far in the Championship season. He came off injured on international duty with Ireland last week, and Lowe says his leading scorer is 'touch and go' for Saturday's game.
Keane was one of several additions in the summer, along with the likes of Mads Frokjaer-Jensen, Jack Whatmough and Duane Holmes. Lowe added Montenegro international Milutin Osmajic on Deadline Day, for a club record fee, with Liam Millar also coming in, on loan from FC Basel. Both could make their debut against Argyle.
Fancy a Stat?
Preston's 13 points from 15 available so far means it is their best start to a second-tier season since 1928/29.
The History
Argyle have played Preston 61 times. The Greens have won 19 of those encounters, 17 have been draws, and Preston have won the other 25.
The sides have not met since 2010, in the Championship. In that season, Preston won the Deepdale clash, with the game at Home Park ending 1-1.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be waring their green home kit for this game.
Tickets
We have been informed by Preston North End that they will allow tickets to be bought on the day of Saturday's game.
Supporters will be able to buy tickets from the Away Ticket Office at Deepdale, from 1pm.
For more information on ticket prices for this game, click here. There will be no on-the-day increase.
Argyle TV
Commentary will be provided by Charlie Price and former Argyle defender Oscar Threlkeld.
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.
Domestic supporters can listen to audio commentary on Argyle TV, while international supporters can buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
