Preston North End face Sheffield United at Deepdale on Tuesday night in desperate need of a victory.
After just 5 points from their opening 13 games, Preston will match the record set by Rotherham in 2004-05 for the fewest points earned after 14 matches in a Championship campaign if they lose to the Blades.
Graham Alexander’s side slumped to a tepid 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday, but will return to Deepdale knowing they put in a full-blooded performance which earned a rousing reception from The Gentry in their last home game against West Brom.
North end will need to replicate that energy and commitment under the lights against Chris Wilder’s outfit, who have seven points from their last three outings alone and sit 10th in the table, if they are to get a positive result.
There didn’t appear to be any fresh injury concerns for Alexander coming out of Stoke, with Harry Clarke, Lewis Gibson, Liam Gibbs and Ali McCann the only absentees at present.
The manager has plenty of selection dilemmas, starting with which formation he goes for. Alexander unexpectedly switched to a 4-2-3-1 at Stoke, which came as a surprise given the back-three had started to click against WBA.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the 3-4-1-2 returned against Sheffield United, with a couple of changes to personnel as well...
9. CAM - Andy Moran
It was a bit of a surprise when Moran wasn't given a start after earning so much praise from the manager mid-week, but it was perhaps understandable why his risk-taking attacking flair wasn't trusted away from home. Yet, Preston lacked any sort of creative spark against Stoke and struggled when allowed to keep the ball. Back at home, with a big performance needed, is it finally time to give Moran a proper chance? | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
10. ST - Johnny Kenny
Kenny cut an isolated figure on Saturday but still managed to be the only player to really force the opposition goalkeeper into action with a driven ball into the box. Has to start. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
11. ST - Jusef Erabi
Alexander has previously said Erabi is pushing to start and the striker has brought good energy off the bench in recent games, so he could work in the press. His physical presence may add some sticking power to the front line and it would be interesting to see him partner Kenny. It is a coin flip with Delano Burgzorg, though, whose work rate against WBA was great and it wasn't all on him that he struggled to play out wide vs Stoke when it isn't a role that suits him. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (