Preston v West Bromwich Albion: mid-table hosts meet survival fight in the Championship | OneFootball

Preston North End host West Bromwich Albion in the Championship at Deepdale on Saturday, 18 April 2026, with the hosts targeting a top-half push and the visitors seeking breathing space above the relegation places.

West Bromwich Albion edged the reverse fixture 2-1 in October and have recent wins in this matchup, including a 4-0 success at this venue in 2023.

Form points to a tight game. Preston are unbeaten in three and have taken two wins in their last four. Albion arrive unbeaten in five, with back-to-back goalless draws after wins over Hull City and Bristol City.

Injuries could shape the selection. Preston are without Robbie Brady, Callum Lang, Jamal Lewis and Alistair McCann. Albion miss Jed Wallace, Krystian Bielik and Michael Johnston. Creativity may hinge on Lewis Norman Dobbin for Preston, who has eight assists this season, while Aune Heggebo leads Albion's scoring with nine league goals and Johnston has supplied nine assists.

This season's trends hint at the route to goal. Preston average 1.2 goals per game and 46% possession, while Albion tend to keep more of the ball at 51% but score one per game. Both teams deliver plenty of crosses and have reached double figures for headed goals, so wide service could be decisive. Albion's recent clean sheets suggest they may try to control the ball, while Preston could look to strike quickly when space opens.

A win would lift Preston to 60 points and could move them towards the top half. Albion would rise to 49 points with victory and may pull further clear of the relegation places, where Oxford United sit 22nd on 44 points.