Preston North End still search for first home win as they face league leaders Sheffield United

Sheffield United sit top of the championship after an ideal start to their campaign and they’ll be backed by over 4000 Blades fans for their trip to Preston, who are still in search for a first home win of the season.

It was a last gasp winner for the Blades last time out against Swansea City as a last-ditch tackle from Chris Basham was perfectly timed inside the United penalty area and sent Paul Heckingbottom’s men off on a cynical counterattack, which ended with Reda Khadra slotting home the winner.

What a moment! ❤️

The tackle from Bash, the ball from RND, the work-rate from Brewster and the finish from Reda. Khadra's last minute goal against Swansea! pic.twitter.com/T3vkrIZJ1d

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 13, 2022

The 1-0 win meant the Blades have now won six of their opening nine games, losing just once, the joint lowest amount of losses in the division along with Burnley, Wigan Athletic, Rotherham United and their next opponents, Preston North End respectively.

Despite North End losing the same number of games, they’ve still only managed two wins so far this campaign, both coming on the road against Luton Town and Coventry City.

But with two strong defences going head-to-head on Saturday afternoon, could the Lilywhites be heading for another stalemate in Lancashire?

North End had quite a favourable start to the campaign in terms of facing teams on paper that many would fancy Preston to be favourites for. But a lack of quality in front of goal week after week has left North End ruing missed opportunities with some tough fixtures coming up after the international break, as well the two games before the pause.

North End drew 1-1 with Lancashire rivals Burnley last time out after Jordan Storey equalised with a header to cancel out Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ opener. And with Burnley followed by the Blades, Ryan Lowe’s schedule doesn’t get any easier with Sunderland, West Brom, Norwich the next three following the international break.

With some tough fixtures which North End aren’t as favourable for as they were in their opening games, the Lilywhites are going to have to prove some doubters wrong if they’re to stay within a grasp of those desired play-off places.

As for team news heading into the final round of fixtures before the national teams take centre stage, North End shouldn’t have any new injury concerns bar Ben Woodburn, who continues his recovery and is set to be fit by the start of October.

There may well be changes as Andrew Hughes stepped up his return from a shoulder injury with around half an hour on Tuesday night and it’s expected he will return to the starting XI against the league leaders. There may also be a start for on-loan Manchester United man Alvaro Fernandez, who has been knocking on the door for a start since returning from an ankle injury sustained in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Fernandez has come on a number of times from the bench and made an impact, driving his side forward with runs of intent and dangerous crosses into the box. The Spaniard had a late effort against Burnley in midweek which could’ve proved to be a winner had it not been blocked on its way to possibly creeping inside the far post.

As for the Blades, Heckingbottom has confirmed that Billy Sharp will be in contention for United’s squad selection on Saturday after being deemed fully fit following a frustrating start to the season following injuries.

But with this being possibly North End’s toughest fixture to date, it’ll be interesting to see how Lowe’s side fare against the current top team in the division, particularly with Lowe still watching from the top of the ‘Invincibles stand’ at Deepdale as he serves the latter of his two-match ban following a red card in their only defeat this season to Birmingham City.

Should Preston defy the odds and get their first three home points on the board they could potentially move level on points with local rivals Blackburn Rovers, who currently occupy third spot in the second tier of English football.

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