Preston North End find themselves 4th in the Championship table despite looking like relegation candidates at the start of the year.
When the Lilywhites went winless in the last eight league games last season to end the campaign, it looked like they would, once more, fight not to go down.
They finished 20th, just one point above relegated Luton Town in 22nd. In fact, only bottom-of-the-league Cardiff City won fewer games (9) than Preston (10).
But now, things are looking much better at Deepdale.
What has changed for Preston North End?
Same old Preston
The funny thing about 2025-26 Preston North End is that they have maintained their identity from the past few years. Three at the back, not too much fooling around in possession and a more direct and vertical approach.
If anything, Paul Heckingbottom has leaned more on this style than last year. Opta data shows that in-possession and passing data have slightly decreased this season when compared to last season.
| Stats (per match) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 48% | 45% |
| Passes attempted | 385 | 346 |
| % of passes that are long | 17% | 18% |
| 10+ passes sequences | 6.0 | 4.2 |
Championship fans have (correctly) labelled Preston ‘boring’. They aren’t the most entertaining watch in the league and are always around midtable, not good enough to make any noise near the playoff spots and not bad enough to go down. Last year they got close, but still maintained second tier status.
The Lilywhites average the fifth fewest shots (11.2), and the sixth fewest big chances (1.6) per match this season.
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They also struggle to take the game to the opposition. The recent elimination from the FA Cup in the third round at home against third tier Wigan Athletic is just further proof of that.
It was a poor performance but at least now they have no distractions. The Championship will be the only competition they play in until the end of the season, since they lost to Wrexham in the second round of the Carabao Cup back in August.
On the other end, they don’t really stop opponents from getting near their goal or in good goalscoring situations. Preston are 14th in big chances conceded (1.9), 16th in shots faced (13.2) and 19th in touches allowed inside their own box (24.0) per match.
But there is a reason why they have the third best defence in the league.
The Iversen factor
Daniel Iversen had already spent a year and a half on loan at Deepdale between 2021 and 2022. After returning to parent club Leicester City and a brief spell at Stoke City, he went back to Preston as a free agent last July.
Not only did he maintain his previous level as a solid Championship goalkeeper, but has also elevated his game. The Dane is among the best shot-stoppers in the league this season.
In fact, Opta data shows that he ranks second in goals prevented this campaign (5.29). Only Coventry City’s Carl Rushworth (6.90) is ahead of him in the list.
Other notable standouts such as Swansea’s Lawrence Vigouroux (5.08) and Stoke’s Viktor Johansson (4.75) are all behind Iversen.
And though depending so much on the goalkeeper is not the most sustainable winning formula long term, they only need it to work for a full season. If Iversen carries them to the playoffs, then who knows what could happen.
Preston would certainly not be favourites for the third spot in the Premier League. Especially considering that one of Middlesbrough or Ipswich (or even Coventry?) won’t be in the automatics come the end of the season.
But in a knock-out environment, considering they rank first in draws (10) and excel in dragging opponents down to the mud with them, it would be wide open.
Recruitment
Preston might still be their old self in terms of identity, but a lot of things changed over the summer.
Heckingbottom received quite a few signings and more players to work with. They also have more depth now than before.
Of what looked to be the manager’s preferred starting XI before the turn of the year, six were new faces.
The board brought in Daniel Iversen, Pol Valentin, Thierry Small, Alfie Devine, Lewis Dobbin and the now departed Harrison Armstrong, who went back to Everton. All of them have been hits so far.
Armstrong’s departure, in fact, could be a big worry for the remainder of the season. Preston still have great starters for the Championship in Devine and Ben Whiteman, but Ali McCann and Jordan Thompson are levels below Armstrong.
But the sole fact that Preston are 4th after finishing 20th last campaign already makes for a successful season.