Preston vs Sunderland

Preston North End have lost two of their last three league games against Sunderland (W1), as many as in their previous 14 meetings (W6 D6 L2).

Sunderland have lost three of their last five league visits to Deepdale (W1 D1), losing 2-1 in August 2023.

At Deepdale, Preston are unbeaten in their last 21 league games in midweek (W10 D11), only Manchester City are enjoying a longer ongoing such run in the top four tiers of English football (49 games unbeaten).

Sunderland have won both their midweek league games so far this season and could win three in a row for the first time since February 2023.

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom is unbeaten in five previous encounters with Sunderland in the Football League (W4 D1), only against Birmingham (P6 W4 D2) has he faced a side more often in the Football League without losing.