Preston v Lincoln City: survival fight meets safety push | OneFootball

Preston North End host Lincoln City in the Championship at Deepdale on Saturday, 12 September 2026, with the bottom club seeking a lift and the visitors aiming to pull further clear of the relegation places.

The only recent meeting between these sides was a 1-0 friendly win for Lincoln City at Deepdale in 2024. The stakes now are sharper, with league points and early season direction on the line.

Preston's league start reads five defeats in six, though they did beat Blackburn last time at home before losing at Watford. Lincoln City have steadied after back to back losses in the opening weeks, drawing with Blackburn and Southampton following an away win at Bolton.

Injuries shape both benches. For the hosts, Brad Potts, Andrew Hughes, Andrija Vukcevic, Alistair McCann and Theo Carroll are sidelined. The visitors are without Tendayi Darikwa, Thomas Haymer and Mason Melia.

Expect margins to matter. Preston have delivered 80 open play crosses with 28.75% accuracy and could lean on wide supply for top scorer Callum Lang, who has three league goals, with Delano Burgzorg supplying two assists. Lincoln's profile is controlled without the ball, averaging 35% possession with two clean sheets and six goals conceded. Aerial moments may count with both teams recording headed goals this season.

Preston sit 24th and a win could move them off the bottom and inject momentum into their survival bid. Lincoln City are 19th and victory could pull them further clear of the drop zone and towards mid table security.