Preston North End's search for a first Championship point of the season continues after a 4-2 home defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday. The result leaves Ryan Lowe's side rooted to the bottom of the table with zero points from their opening three matches, a situation reported by the BBC.
Preston currently sit 23rd in the Championship, having lost all three of their league games this term. Their recent form reads as three consecutive losses, with two goals scored and six conceded for a minus-four goal difference. They are already nine points adrift of early leaders Charlton Athletic.
How did the match unfold?
Bristol City took control of the fixture at Deepdale, capitalising on Preston's defensive frailties to score four times. The home side managed to find the net twice themselves but were unable to mount a serious comeback. This latest setback follows previous league defeats to Charlton Athletic, Everton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Preston's only point in any competition this season came from a League Cup draw with Huddersfield Town.
The visitors, Bristol City, arrived in 12th place with four points and demonstrated their superior league position. Their own form has been mixed, with a Championship draw against Birmingham City and a League Cup draw with Exeter City, but also losses to Portsmouth, Millwall, and Walsall.
What is the recent head-to-head history?
This result continues a poor recent run for Preston against Bristol City. The Lilywhites were also beaten 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last season on January 4th, 2026. The previous season saw Bristol City complete a league double, winning 2-0 at Ashton Gate in September 2025 and 2-0 at Deepdale in May 2025. You can review the full historical record on our stats page.
Preston's struggle for goals in this fixture is clear, having failed to score in three of the last four meetings. Their attacking output in other recent games includes one goal against both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers, and two in the loss to Bolton.
Where does this leave Preston in the table?
The situation is concerning for Preston North End. Occupying 23rd place means they are in the relegation zone, while Bristol City's mid-table 12th position keeps them clear of immediate danger. The league standings show a stark contrast, with Preston on zero points and City on four.
| Team | Position | Points | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston North End | 23rd | 0 | LLL |
| Bristol City | 12th | 4 | DLD |
The table underscores the scale of the challenge. The club's goal difference of minus-four is among the worst in the division, and the gap to safety is growing with each match. Fans can track the evolving battle at the bottom on our standings page.
What comes next for Preston North End?
The immediate focus must shift to halting this negative momentum. The squad will need to regroup quickly, with the next fixture presenting another tough challenge. The defensive unit, which has conceded six goals in three games, requires urgent attention.
Manager Ryan Lowe has a significant task to lift confidence and find a winning formula. The club's upcoming schedule is available on our fixtures page. With the season still young, there is time to recover, but the need for points is becoming critical. The team must start converting performances into results to climb away from the bottom three.
