The EFL is back and the 20th season of the Championship gets underway on Friday night when Preston North End welcome Sheffield United to Deepdale for their opening match of the 2024-25 campaign.
Both teams have aspirations of securing at least a playoff spot this term and will be keen to make significant improvements after ending the previous season in disappointing fashion.
Match preview
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Preparing for their 10th consecutive campaign in the Championship, Preston have established themselves as a mid-table second-tier club in recent years after ending back-to-back seasons in 13th spot before settling for a 12th-placed finish in 2023-24.
The Lilywhites were outsiders for a playoff spot heading into the latter stages of last season, but their hopes of a late push for the top six were ultimately crushed after losing their final five matches by an aggregate score of 11-0, ending the campaign 10 points adrift of the playoffs.
Manager Ryan Lowe has endured some testing times over the last 12 months or so, but he retains the support of the club's hierarchy and as he heads into his fourth season as Preston boss, the 45-year-old claims his players have "all rallied together" and are 'where they want to be' from a fitness perspective ahead of Friday's opener.
Preston won four and lost three of their seven pre-season fixtures over the summer, with four successive wins over local rivals Bamber Bridge, Premier League giants Liverpool, Italian outfit Fiorentina and League Two side Salford City followed by a 3-0 home defeat to top-flight club Everton last weekend.
The Lancashire-based team head into Friday's contest with Sheffield United having failed to win any of their last six meetings with the Blades, while they have not won their opening league match in any of the previous five seasons. Lowe has encouraged the Preston fanbase to get Deepdale "bouncing" to help his players in their quest to end both unwanted runs.
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Following a 2023-24 campaign of regression and misery both on and off the pitch, culminating with a 20th-placed finish and relegation from the Premier League, Sheffield United are gearing up for life back in the Championship - their fifth second-tier season in the last eight years.
The Blades celebrated success on just three occasions across their 38 top-flight matches and collected only 16 points, ending the season the same number of points adrift of safety. They also conceded a record 104 goals and scored a league-low 35 times, with their goal difference of -69 the joint-worst in Premier League history, equalling the record set by Derby County in their infamous 2007-08 season.
Chris Wilder was unable to turn the club's fortunes around after returning to his beloved Bramall Lane in December following the dismissal of Paul Heckingbottom. The 56-year-old claims he is 'hungry, enthusiastic and more knowledgeable' now compared to his first stint in charge between 2016 and 2020, and believes his experience and desire to continue improving as a coach can help the Blades during their rebuilding process.
As a result of off-field ownership and financial issues, Sheffield United will begin the 2024-25 campaign on -2 points after an independent EFL disciplinary commission imposed the sanction in relation to defaulting on payments to other clubs two seasons ago.
Over a dozen first-team members of last season's squad have departed the Blades this summer, while seven fresh faces have arrived thus far and Wilder's side head into their opening league fixture on Friday following a successful pre-season programme, albeit against lower-league opposition. Four wins in a row against York City, Chesterfield, Harrogate Town and Rotherham United were followed by a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town last week.
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Team News
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Preston boss Lowe is hopeful that first-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman will be fit to feature on Friday after the 27-year-old pulled out of the friendly against Salford due to illness before missing the defeat to Everton last weekend. David Cornell is waiting in the wings if needed.
Midfielder Stefan Teitur Thordarson, versatile attacker Sam Greenwood and right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden - on loan from Aston Villa - have all joined the Lilywhites this summer and all three players are in contention to make their competitive debuts for the club.
Robbie Brady scored twice in pre-season, including an impressive 40-yard lob in the win over Liverpool, and the 32-year-old is likely to operate at left wing-back, while striker Will Keane - last season's top scorer with 13 goals - is set to lead the line.
As for Sheffield United, summer signings Kieffer Moore (knock) and Sam McCallum (hamstring) are both doubts, while Jamie Shackleton - another new recruit - will miss the start of the campaign after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season.
Wilder has moved away from his traditional three-at-the-back system and has deployed a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 shape in pre-season, which is set to be on display against Preston. Harry Souttar joined the club on loan from Leicester City on Tuesday and could be thrown straight into the heart of defence alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic, while Alfie Gilchrist could operate at right-back after joining on loan from Chelsea on Wednesday.
Harrison Burrows and Callum O'Hare are two more new additions who are in line to make their competitive debut for the Blades, while the likes of Oliver Arblaster, Gustavo Hamer and Rhian Brewster are also in contention to start.
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Whatmough, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Whiteman, Ledson, Brady; Greenwood, Riis; Keane
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Seriki, Ahmedhodzic, Souttar, Burrows; Souza, Arblaster; Brooks, O'Hare, Hamer; Brewster
We say: Preston North End 1-1 Sheffield United
Neither side have had much joy in their opening league fixture of a new season in recent years; while Preston have failed to come out on top in their last five such matches, Sheffield United have won their opening league game just once in the last 10 seasons.
Both teams will be keen to get the ball rolling and make a positive start to 2024-25, but a tight contest could be in store at Deepdale and few would be surprised to see the spoils shared on Friday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
