First league victory of the campaign is the target for both Preston North End and Stoke City

Preston North End and Stoke will be battling for their first league win of the season when they meet at Deepdale.
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Both sides have had a draw and a defeat in their opening Championship games, with the Carabao Cup providing more comfort.

Stoke have reached the fourth round following a 1-0 win over Gillingham this week, North End bowing out to Brighton.

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In the league, they had an opening-day draw at Millwall before losing 2-0 to Bristol City at the bet365 Stadium last Sunday.

Stoke City striker Tyrese CampbellStoke City striker Tyrese Campbell
Stoke City striker Tyrese Campbell

That was a game PNE boss Alex Neil took the opportunity to scout following his side’s 2-2 draw at Norwich the day before.

Neil of course was on Stoke’s wanted list 10 months ago as they searched for a new manager to replace Nathan Jones.

He stayed put in the end, the Potters moving instead for Michael O’Neill.

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Reflecting on his trip to watch Stoke, Neil said: “I was there to watch their game against Bristol City.

“I know how they will set up but the personnel might vary slightly.

“They are a decent side, physical with about eight 
six-footers in their team.

“Equally they have some quality in there and they have spent some money.”

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Stoke have been active in the transfer market this window, a big name arrival being former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.

The 33-year-old came from Turkish side Trabzonspor on a Bosman, part of a world tour since leaving Chelsea.

Mikel spent a couple of years in China, had a short spell with Middlesbrough, and then went to Turkey.

Morgan Fox, Steven Fletcher and Jacob Brown have been other new arrivals, while James Chester’s loan spell was made permanent.

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Four players have been loaned out and Mame Diouf sold to Hatayspor in Turkey.

Having fired blanks in their opening two league games, O’Neill could be tempted to reshape his forward line for the trip to Deepdale.

At half-time of the Bristol City game, he replaced Sam Vokes with Fletcher.

Against Millwall on the opening day, Vokes had been partnered by Tyrese Campbell.

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It was Campbell who scored the winner against Gillingham on Wednesday night, a goal which perhaps might see him start against North End.

Commenting on Campbell afterwards, O’Neill said: “It’s good to see him on target.

“Like any striker he wants to score and it was a good finish.

“That’s when he’s at his best, running through in that situation. He knows what he’s got to do, commits to it and it was a good finish.”

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While Stoke have yet to really get going up front, at the back they’ve been solid.

The Bristol City defeat was the only game they have conceded in so far.

O’Neill has been favouring a back three, with Chester, Danny Batth and Bruno Martins Indi teamed up.