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Preston North End will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship on Saturday, 22 August, with both teams looking for their first league wins of the new season.
Preston lost to Bolton in their opening league fixture, while Wolves were held to a 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Preston vs Wolves key stats
- Wolves are unbeaten across their last four matches in all competitions.
- Preston have lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- More than two goals have been scored across each of Wolves' last three matches.
Preston vs Wolves preview: Chalk vs cheese
Preston vs Wolves — Tale of the Tape
| Preston | vs | Wolves |
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Position | 9th |
| 0 | Points | 1 |
| 1 | Goals For | 2 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
This match puts together a side expected to be involved in relegation this season (Preston) up against a side expected to be in contention for promotion (Wolves).
While the Championship has never been that simple, there is cause for concern in the Preston camp after a desperately poor pre-season, which saw them lose five of their last six matches.
They have hardly looked convincing in competitive action, either. Preston scraped through in the Carabao Cup courtesy of a penalty shootout win over Huddersfield, and lost their first league match last week against newly-promoted Bolton.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom, who has now overseen just three wins across Preston's last 17 matches, will know that a slow start could punish his side later in the season, and will be hoping his players can lift themselves for the challenge of Wolves.
Heckingbottom remains without Lewis Gibson following his red card against Huddersfield.
As for Wolves, there will be a determination within the camp to put things right after a poor display against Blackburn Rovers in their opening match.
The Old Gold needed a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point at Molineux, but if they can follow that up with a win on Saturday, four points from their opening two matches wouldn't be a bad return as they re-adjust to life in the Championship.
Manager Cesar Peixoto has added Welsh midfielder Jordan James to his squad this week, and he could feature among the substitutes. Wolves certainly looked short in midfield last week, so the addition of James is a welcome one.
Peixoto will be without Kieran Trippier and Yerson Mosquera after the pair picked up injuries against Blackburn, but Raul Jimenez is pushing for a start.
Preston vs Wolves form guide & betting tips
| Preston | vs | Wolves |
|---|---|---|
LLLWL |
Form | LWWWD |
| 0 | Points | 1 |
| 17th | Form Table | 9th |
| 1 | Goals For | 2 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 2 |
L |
Form (Championship) | D |
Whispers predicts: Preston 0-2 Wolves
Wolves have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, and should be too strong for Preston. Wolves to win has been best priced at 4/5.
Fewer than three goals have been scored in three of the last five meetings between the two clubs. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 8/5.
Raul Jimenez rescued a point for Wolves last week. Jimenez to score anytime has been priced at 7/4.
> Wolves to win at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Jimenez to score anytime at 8/5 (2.60) | Likelihood: Possible