This Friday night Championship clash sees Preston North End host Sheffield United at Deepdale. It’s a fixture with plenty of intriguing storylines, not least the battle of current form versus historical head-to-head dominance. Preston, managed by former Blade Paul Heckingbottom, will be desperate to halt a two-match losing streak and return to the playoff spots. Sheffield United, meanwhile, travel with renewed confidence after back-to-back wins have pulled them out of the relegation zone, finally showing signs of the quality expected of them this season under Chris Wilder.
Match Details
DetailInformationCompetitionEFL ChampionshipPhaseRound 12DateFriday, October 24, 2025Kick-off8:00 PM (UK Time) / 19:00 UTCVenueDeepdale, Preston
Team Form and Analysis for Preston North End
Domestic Form (Championship): (11th Position, 16 points)
Preston North End had a strong start to the season but have hit a rough patch, losing their last two matches, including a 0-1 home defeat to Birmingham City and a 2-1 loss away to West Brom. Their form over the last five Championship matches is W D D L L. Despite the recent dip, the Lilywhites have been generally tough to beat at Deepdale. Their defensive record remains solid, with only 10 goals conceded in 11 games, but their attack has been less consistent.
European Performance: Not applicable (EFL Championship)
Key Player: Milutin Osmajić (Forward)
Osmajić leads the team in goals with three for the season, all coming early in the campaign. After being used off the bench in the last game, the team will look for him to be recalled and rediscover his early-season scoring touch to break down the Blades’ defense.
Team Form and Analysis for Sheffield United
Domestic Form (Championship): (21st Position, 9 points)
Sheffield United endured a torrid start to the season, but their recent form suggests a significant upturn. They head into this fixture with back-to-back victories—a 1-0 home win over Watford and an impressive 3-1 away victory against Blackburn Rovers. Their overall form in the last five is L W L W W. While still sitting precariously close to the bottom three, these two recent wins have lifted confidence immensely. Their biggest struggles remain in attack (lowest goals scored in the league with 7) and defense (third-most goals conceded with 17) over the season, but the recent results show improvement in both areas.
European Performance: Not applicable (EFL Championship)
Key Player: Harrison Burrows (Wing-Back/Midfielder)
The versatile player has been instrumental in the recent upturn, scoring and assisting in the 3-1 win at Blackburn. His engine and threat down the flank, combined with his defensive contribution, will be crucial as the Blades look to maintain their winning momentum.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
Sheffield United have a strong recent history in this fixture, dominating the last few encounters:
Last 5 Championship Meetings: Sheffield United 4 Wins, Preston North End 0 Wins, 1 Draw.
Last Meeting (Mar 2025): Sheffield United 1-0 Preston North End
Preston’s Last Win: Preston are winless in their last 8 league matches against Sheffield United.
The Blades have an excellent record at Deepdale, having not lost on their last four league trips there (W3, D1).
Players to Watch
Preston North End – Lewis Gibson (Defender): A key component of Preston’s generally sound defensive unit. His performance in the back three will be vital to neutralize the pace of the Blades’ counter-attacks.
Sheffield United – Callum O’Hare (Attacking Midfielder): O’Hare’s creativity and goal threat (he scored the winner against Watford) will be key to unlocking the Preston defense. His ability to link midfield and attack will dictate United’s forward play.
Prediction
This match pits Preston’s overall better league position and home stability against Sheffield United’s superior recent form and historical dominance in this fixture. The Blades are buoyant after two confidence-boosting wins, showing a new resilience and attacking threat under Chris Wilder. However, Preston are a disciplined, difficult-to-beat side at Deepdale, even with their recent minor slump. The game is likely to be a tight, low-scoring affair. Given the recent history and United’s momentum, they might just edge it, or a draw is very probable.
Prediction: Preston North End 1-1 Sheffield United
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
The match is scheduled to be broadcast live in the UK:
UK TV: Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event
UK Live Stream: Sky Go
International/USA: The match will also be available on various international broadcasters and streaming services like Paramount+ (USA), depending on your specific region. Check local listings for exact channels and kick-off times.
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