Preston North End have made the perfect start to the new year and that has raised hopes a genuine push for promotion into the Premier League is now a very realistic possibility for the second half of the season.
A clinical performance in a 3-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday brought goals from Ali McCann, Milutin Osmajić and Lewis Dobbin as the Championship’s basement club were swept aside at Deepdale and that was followed by a professional away day display on Sunday as goals from Dobbin and Alfie Devine helped Paul Heckingbottom’s men to a 2-0 win at Bristol City.
That has left North End sitting pretty in fourth place as their league campaign takes a break and Heckingbottom and his players turn their focus towards this weekend’s FA Cup third round tie with Wigan Athletic. However, a home double header with Hull City and Derby County over the next fortnight offers a real opportunity to pressure the clubs in the top three of the table.
But where could North End finish in the table this season? We take a look at the latest predicted final Championship table with the help of the stats experts at Opta.
Your next Preston North End read: John Smith’s PNE Fans’ Panel verdict: This could be THE year!
