Pick of the stats - Preston North End v Sunderland
Preston North End v Sunderland
- Published
Sunderland are looking to return to winning ways when they visit Preston on Wednesday night following a 0-0 draw at QPR at the weekend. The Black Cats are top of the Championship and unbeaten in six games (W4, D2).
Meanwhile, the Lilywhites are without a win in three (D2, L1) and are just two points above the relegation zone before the midweek Championship fixtures.
Preston North End have lost two of their past three league games against Sunderland (W1), as many as in their previous 14 meetings (W6, D6, L2).
Sunderland have lost three of their past five league visits to Deepdale (W1, D1), including a 2-1 defeat in August 2023.
At Deepdale, Preston are unbeaten in their past 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 EFL (W4, D1). Only against Birmingham (P6, W4, D2) has he faced a side more often without losing.
