Preston North End vs Sheffield United Prediction: Both teams are aspiring playoffs spots

Preston North End will welcome Sheffield United at Deepdale Stadium in Game Week 1 of the English Championship. Both teams are aspiring playoffs spots come at the end of the season. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Getting ready for their 10th consecutive season in the Championship, Preston has solidified their position as a mid-table team in recent years, finishing in 13th place for two consecutive seasons before landing in 12th place in the 2023-24 season. Despite being considered outsiders for a playoff spot towards the end of the last season, Preston's hopes were dashed when they lost their final five matches with a combined score of 11-0, finishing 10 points behind the playoffs.

Manager Ryan Lowe has faced challenges in the past year, but he continues to have the backing of the club's leadership. As he enters his fourth season as Preston boss, the 45-year-old states that his players are in good shape and have come together as a team. The team won four and lost three of their seven pre-season games, triumphing over local rivals Bamber Bridge, Liverpool, Fiorentina, and Salford City before falling 3-0 to Everton.

Heading into their match against Sheffield United on Friday, Preston has not won in their last six encounters with the Blades and has not secured a victory in their opening league match in the past five seasons. Lowe is urging Preston fans to create an electrifying atmosphere at Deepdale to help the team break these streaks and start the season on a positive note.

Woodman; Whatmough, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Whiteman, Ledson, Brady; Greenwood, Riis; Keane

After a disappointing 2023-24 season that saw Sheffield United finish in 20th place and get relegated from the Premier League, the Blades are now preparing for their fifth season in the Championship in the last eight years. They had a challenging season, winning only three out of 38 matches and accumulating just 16 points. Sheffield United set an unwanted record by conceding 104 goals and scoring only 35 times, resulting in a goal difference of -69, tying with Derby County's Premier League record from the 2007-08 season.

Despite Chris Wilder's return as manager in December, he was unable to change the team's fortunes. Wilder believes his increased hunger, enthusiasm, and knowledge will be beneficial during the rebuilding process. Due to ownership and financial issues, the Blades will start the 2024-25 campaign with -2 points as a penalty for not meeting payment obligations to other clubs in the past.

Several players from last season have left the team, and new faces have joined the squad. Sheffield United had a successful pre-season, securing wins against lower-league teams such as York City, Chesterfield, Harrogate Town, and Rotherham United. Their final pre-season match ended in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.

Grbic; Seriki, Ahmedhodzic, Souttar, Burrows; Souza, Arblaster; Brooks, O'Hare, Hamer; Brewster

In the recent years, neither team has had much success in their first league game of the season. Preston has not won in their last five opening matches, while Sheffield United has only won once in the past ten seasons. Both teams are eager to start the 2024-25 season on a positive note, but a close match is expected at Deepdale. It wouldn't be surprising if the game ends in a draw on Friday.