Preview: Wigan Athletic vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Newly-promoted Wigan Athletic will return to Championship football with a home encounter against Preston North End on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are set to enter their eighth consecutive campaign in the second tier, with Ryan Lowe set to enjoy his first full season as Preston boss.

Match preview

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Wigan have returned to the Championship after racking up 92 points last season on their way to the League One title, which ended a two-year spell in the third tier of English football.

Leam Richardson helped his side avoid relegation in the 2020-21 campaign in spite of Wigan's financial issues, and the 42-year-old continued to weave his magic in the dugout last term.

No side scored more goals than the Latics last season, while they also ended their League One title-winning campaign with the joint second-best defensive record in the division.

Having already enjoyed two successful years as Wigan boss, Richardson's next challenge will be to help his side avoid an immediate return to League One.

Despite being one of three newly-promoted sides, the Latics will believe that they can get off to a positive start after winning the opening game of their last two Championship campaigns.

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After recording back-to-back 13th placed finishes, Preston will be aiming for a top-half position under the tutelage of Lowe, who is set to take charge of his first full season.

The former Plymouth Argyle boss took over a side that were four points clear of the relegation zone after 21 games and guided them to a mid-table finish.

A four-point gap to the drop zone turned to a 27-point cushion by the season end, ensuring that Preston continues in the Championship for an eighth consecutive season.

The Lilywhites have experienced a busy summer ahead of the new campaign, making six new additions to their squad, while as many as 12 players have left Deepdale.

After losing their opening game of the last three seasons, Preston will hope that a meeting with their Lancashire rivals will result in a change in fortunes.

Team News

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Ryan Nyambe recently signed for Wigan on a free transfer, and the right-back will be included in Saturday's squad, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Richardson is expected to favour a back three on Saturday, which could feature Jason Kerr, Jack Whatmough and Curtis Tilt.

After scoring 26 league goals last season, Will Keane will be hoping that his form in the third tier will transfer into the Championship, with the forward set to lead the line at the weekend.

As for Preston, they are without the services of Sean Maguire who is expected to be out until the middle of August due to an injury issue.

Following a busy summer of transfer activity, Lowe could give up to six players their competitive debuts, including Alvaro Fernandez and Troy Parrott, who have joined on loan from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

Meanwhile, last season's top scorer Emil Riis Jakobsen is expected to lead the line for the visitors on Saturday.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Amos; Kerr, Whatmough, Tilt; Darikwa, Power, Naylor, Shinnie, McClean; Lang, Keane, Magennis

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Diaby, Lindsay, Hughes; Brady, Whiteman, Browne, Fernandez; Johnson, Parrott, Riis

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Preston North End

Preston have made a number of smart additions to their side in the summer, and we think that their established players, as well as their new signings, could prove too strong for a Wigan side who are looking to adapt quickly to Championship football.

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