Wolves seek first win after opening stumble: prediction for Preston North End vs Wolverhampton
The second-round Championship clash between Preston North End and Wolverhampton is set for August 22, 2026, at Deepdale Stadium in Preston. The hosts kicked off their season with a 1-2 defeat to Bolton, while one of the league favorites, Wolverhampton, surprisingly dropped points at home against Blackburn in a 2-2 draw.
Preston North End: worrying start and pressure on the manager
Paul Heckingbottom's team had a rough start to the campaign, conceding twice within the opening 25 minutes against Bolton. A late goal from Yusef Erabi only narrowed the deficit, but couldn't save Preston from defeat.
The overall trend isn't encouraging either: just three wins in their last 17 matches across all competitions, and four consecutive losses to close out preseason. Heckingbottom may tweak his formation, with Andrija Vukčević and Erabi both pushing for a starting spot.
Wolverhampton: attacking quality remains their biggest asset
The Wolves were favorites against Blackburn, but only salvaged a point thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Raúl Jiménez. The 2-2 draw made it clear: returning to the Championship won't be a walk in the park, even for promotion contenders.
The visitors' main concern right now is defense: Kieran Trippier and Yerson Mosquera are both sidelined for at least a month. Still, César Peixoto has plenty of attacking options, and Jiménez, after scoring on opening day, could earn a spot in the starting XI.
Match facts
- Preston have won only three of their last 17 matches in all competitions.
- Wolverhampton opened the Championship with a 2-2 draw against Blackburn.
- The last meeting between these sides at Deepdale ended in a 1-1 draw in February 2018.
The visitors' quality should outweigh their squad issues: prediction for Preston North End vs Wolverhampton
The absence of Trippier and Mosquera gives the hosts a real chance to create chances - especially if Preston can make the most of their home advantage. However, Heckingbottom's side's current form leaves too many questions.
Wolverhampton boast far more quality in attack and greater squad depth, which should prove decisive. This won't be an easy match, but the visitors look closer to grabbing their first win of the new season.
