Preston vs Leicester City – Match preview and team news

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The Football Faithful

·16 August 2025

Preston vs Leicester City – Match preview and team news

Preston North End and Leicester City go head-to-head in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides will be searching for positive momentum in the second gameweek of the season, with Preston looking to bounce back from their opening day draw against Queens Park Rangers, while Leicester aim to build on their victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

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Preston North End vs Leicester City – Match preview and team news

Team News

Preston North End XI

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom faces several injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash. Summer signing Jordan Thompson remains sidelined with a leg injury that has kept him out since pre-season and could miss the rest of August.

Robbie Brady is nursing a calf injury sustained during a behind-closed-doors friendly and is expected to be out until early September. Brad Potts is doubtful after struggling with a muscle injury throughout pre-season, while Will Keane also remains out with a muscle problem that could see him miss the late August fixtures.

Daniel Jebbison, the on-loan striker from Bournemouth, is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury during a private training session with a personal trainer – a situation that has angered Heckingbottom, who has criticised the lack of accountability from external fitness coaches. Preston have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in ten new signings including goalkeeper Daniel Iversen from Leicester City, defender Thierry Small from Charlton Athletic, and midfielder Thompson from Stoke City.

Leicester City

Leicester City manager Martí Cifuentes has minimal injury concerns but faces selection decisions following their 2-1 opening day victory over Sheffield Wednesday. The Spaniard, appointed in July on a three-year deal after leaving Queens Park Rangers, will be looking to maintain the momentum from their Championship season opener.

Leicester’s summer has been relatively quiet in terms of new arrivals, with veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic their only major signing on a free transfer from Everton. The club has been affected by financial constraints following their relegation from the Premier League.

Form

Preston North End: DW

Paul Heckingbottom’s side started the season with a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers, but ended a 13-game winless run in midweek with a 1-0 win at Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

The Lilywhites struggled in their pre-season preparations, losing to Liverpool and managing only draws against lower-league opposition.

Preston narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just one point above the relegation zone in 20th place.

Leicester City: WWLWW

Martí Cifuentes began his Leicester tenure with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes came from behind after conceding first, with goals from Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes securing all three points.

Leicester’s pre-season was largely successful under Cifuentes, winning five of their six friendlies, including victories over teams from Austria and Belgium during their training camp.

The club suffered Premier League relegation last season after winning just three of their final 15 matches, but their experience and quality should make them strong promotion contenders.