Preston North End face a Championship test at Watford on Tuesday night, looking to build on the momentum of their first league win of the campaign. The match kicks off at 19:45 BST and sees a Preston side currently 23rd in the table, with three points from five games, take on a Watford team hoping to improve a recent run of one point from their last three outings.
Paul Heckingbottom's side ended a four-game losing streak with a victory over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend. That result provided a vital boost for a squad that has scored five goals but conceded ten so far this season, leaving them with a -5 goal difference and eight points behind early leaders Swansea City. The manager's personal record against Watford offers further encouragement, as he is unbeaten in five league meetings with them since a defeat in August 2022 while in charge of Sheffield United, winning three and drawing two.
Can Preston improve their away form?
A significant challenge for Preston will be reversing their poor start on the road. They could lose each of their first three away games of a league season for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign, when they lost their opening five. Their overall standings position highlights the need for points. However, recent history at Vicarage Road provides a counter-narrative. Preston are unbeaten in their last four league visits to Watford, winning one and drawing three. This marks a stark turnaround from a previous run where they lost three of four trips to Hertfordshire.
What is Watford's recent record against Preston?
The home side will be keen to improve a poor run of results in this specific fixture. Watford have managed just one win in their last eight Championship meetings with Preston, drawing five and losing two. That sole victory was a emphatic 5-1 away triumph back in December 2023. Watford do have a strong record in midweek home games, having lost only one of their last nine such fixtures in the league, a 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town in February of last season. Their current form, however, shows just one point from the last nine available.
What comes next for Preston North End?
Following the trip to Watford, Preston's focus will quickly shift to their next Championship fixture. They are scheduled to host Lincoln City at Deepdale on Saturday, September 12th. Lincoln currently sit 18th in the table, making it another important opportunity for Preston to climb away from the lower reaches. Fans can track the team's upcoming fixtures as the season progresses. Securing a positive result at Vicarage Road would provide crucial confidence ahead of that home game and a busy period in the schedule.
The need for improvement is clear from the early-season data. Preston's recent form reads as four consecutive losses prior to the weekend win. Building consistency is the immediate task for Heckingbottom and his players. The manager's proven ability to get results against Tuesday's opponents could be a key factor. This match report is based on information first published by the BBC. The next fixture for Preston North End is at home to Lincoln City on September 12th.
