Preston North End will try to secure their first points of the Championship season when they host Bristol City at Deepdale on Tuesday. The Lilywhites are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 weekend defeat to Charlton Athletic, a result that leaves them in a precarious 23rd place in the table with zero points from three games.
According to a report from Bristol Live, the Robins travel north for their second away trip of the campaign. They arrive with some confidence after securing their first win of the season against Portsmouth, though they are still without a league victory. Preston's loss to Charlton was sealed by a goal from Karlan Grant.
How is Preston's season shaping up?
The early data paints a concerning picture for Preston. After three matches, they have lost all three, conceding six goals while scoring only two. That gives them a goal difference of minus four. They currently sit nine points behind early leaders Charlton Athletic. Their recent form is listed as three consecutive losses, a streak they will be desperate to end in front of their own fans. You can track their progress in the standings throughout the season.
Michael Skubala, the Bristol City manager, is dealing with a relatively clean injury sheet. Only defender Luke McNally is ruled out for the trip to Lancashire. The main talking point in the Robins' camp is the integration of new signing Elijah Adebayo. The 28-year-old forward joined on a two-year deal last Tuesday but was not in the squad for the win over Portsmouth.
When will Elijah Adebayo be ready?
Skubala stated that Adebayo is "not quite ready" for first-team action and needs time to build his workload. The manager explained that the player's return to full training and match play will be managed carefully by the club's medical and sports science teams. Adebayo might feature in Under-21 games to gain valuable minutes before being considered for the senior side. "We need the depth, and we need the competition in the squad for these moments in the season," Skubala told Bristol Live.
What does this match mean for Preston?
This fixture represents a critical early opportunity for Preston to stop the rot. A home game against a mid-table side like Bristol City, who are 12th, is a match they will likely target for points. The defeat to Charlton will have been a disappointment, and the response at Deepdale will be telling. The club's full fixtures list shows this is the start of an important period. Securing a positive result could provide the foundation to climb away from the bottom three.
Bristol City will view this as a chance to build momentum after their first win. Their manager also acknowledged selection decisions, saying, "No, I know I've got players not in the squad, so I have to look at that." The visitors have lost their last four games in all competitions but will hope their weekend victory is a turning point. For Preston, the objective is clear. They must find a way to turn their season around, starting with a performance that yields points on Tuesday night. The current squad will need to step up, and fans can review the playing roster on our squad page.
