Preston North End's Carabao Cup second-round tie against Everton faces a weather threat from a Met Office storm warning. The match at Deepdale on Wednesday is covered by a yellow warning for thunderstorms, though a postponement is seen as highly unlikely.
The Championship side, currently 20th with zero points from two games, will host the Premier League's Everton in a busy week. Preston's season has begun with two defeats, conceding five goals while scoring only two, leaving them six points behind early leaders Millwall. Their next league fixture is a tough trip to face third-placed Charlton on Saturday.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across the North West for Wednesday and Thursday. This warning specifically covers the areas of Preston, Manchester, and Liverpool, bringing a risk of heavy rain and thunder. Despite this, it is highly unlikely the Carabao Cup clash will be called off. Players and supporters traveling to Deepdale should prepare for wet conditions, but the expectation is for the game to go ahead as scheduled.
This cup tie offers Preston a welcome distraction from their challenging start to the Championship campaign. With a goal difference of -3 and just one goal from top scorer J. Thompson so far, the cup provides a different kind of test. Managerial consistency is highlighted as key for Preston during this busy opening period of the season.
Everton manager David Moyes brings a notable personal history to this fixture through his former connections with Preston North End. Moyes both played for and managed the Lilywhites earlier in his career, making his return to Deepdale a significant occasion. His Everton side enters the match with confidence after securing their first Premier League win of the season, a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Moyes is expected to make several alterations to his starting lineup for the cup match, but not wholesale changes. Players like Tyler Dibling, Beto, and Adam Aznou are among those who could be given an opportunity to impress. Everton's involvement in the Carabao Cup ended in the third round last season with a defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The match arrives during a congested early-season schedule and just days before the transfer deadline on 1 September. Director Angus Kinnear has been mentioned in the context of transfer discussions, with a perception that talk has not yet translated into new signings. This cup game is therefore set against a backdrop of ongoing squad considerations.
For Preston, the immediate focus is on handling this busy period and building some positive momentum. Their league position and form, underline the importance of finding a rhythm. The cup represents a chance to build confidence against top-flight opposition before returning to league action.
The fixture is a replay of sorts, as Preston previously visited Goodison Park and won in the first round. The primary concern remains the potential for a wet and thunderous evening in Lancashire, but all indications point towards the match being played.
