As the Sky Bet Championship 2025/26 season approaches its midway point, Preston North End F.C. are quietly building a serious case for a play-off finish. Currently sitting in 5th place with 30 points from 18 matches, the Lilywhites are nestled comfortably inside the promotion mix, just far enough under the radar to keep the pressure at bay.
They’ve achieved this standing through a balanced combination of attacking quality and defensive discipline, reflected in the latest stats:
| Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
| 18 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 19 | +6 | 30 |
A solid return so far. With a positive goal difference and results against high-profile clubs, Preston have shown they can compete at the upper end of the table.
Is Preston’s Recent Form Good Enough to Push for Promotion?
While their form hasn’t been flawless, it’s been more than adequate to maintain a competitive position. The last stretch of fixtures has yielded a mix of results, but crucially, Preston have shown resilience and the ability to bounce back when needed.
In their most recent six league matches, Preston have recorded:
- Wins: 3
- Draws: 2
- Losses: 1
It’s not the kind of form that headlines are made of, but it’s the sort that builds a credible promotion push over time. Importantly, they’ve taken points from difficult away trips and have been able to claw back momentum after setbacks.
What Do the Match Results Tell Us About Preston’s Consistency?
Consistency is the cornerstone of any successful campaign, and Preston North End have delivered in this regard more often than not. They’ve avoided extended losing streaks and have proven their ability to pick up points against both top-tier and mid-table opposition.
Take a look at how the season’s shaping up:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Goalscorers |
| 5 Nov | Swansea City | Home | 2-1 | Small, Osmajić |
| 8 Nov | Millwall | Away | 1-1 | Smith |
| 21 Nov | Blackburn Rovers | Home | 1-2 | Devine |
| 25 Nov | Watford | Away | 1-1 | Jebbison |
| 29 Nov | Sheffield Wednesday | Away | 3-2 | Whiteman, Dobbin, Frøkjær-Jensen |
The victory against Sheffield Wednesday was particularly impressive, an away win secured by three different scorers, highlighting the team’s attacking depth and composure under pressure. While the loss to Blackburn Rovers at Deepdale was disappointing, it hasn’t derailed the club’s steady progression up the table.
Is Home Advantage Playing a Key Role in Their Success?
Home form remains a vital element in Preston’s promotion aspirations. Deepdale has been a reliable venue for collecting points, but the side have also shown they’re capable of delivering away from home, a critical factor in maintaining top-six status.
| Venue | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Home | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Away | 3 | 4 | 2 |
The overall balance is positive. Wins at Southampton and Derby have been notable highlights on the road, while home victories against Leicester City and Ipswich Town have reinforced Deepdale’s status as a stronghold.
Which Fixtures Have Defined the Season So Far?
Certain results this season have stood out—not just in terms of scorelines, but in how they’ve impacted the club’s momentum and confidence:
- 2–1 victory over Leicester City (H): A disciplined and well-executed performance against a title contender.
- 2–0 away win at Southampton: Possibly the most complete team display to date, with clinical finishing and robust defending.
- 1–0 home win against Ipswich Town: A narrow result, but one that highlighted game management and tactical maturity.
These fixtures have demonstrated that Preston can match, and often outplay, clubs with deeper squads and larger budgets.
Who’s Been Banging in the Goals for Preston?
Goals win matches and Preston have benefitted from a spread of contributions across multiple players. They’ve avoided over-reliance on a single striker, which bodes well for squad resilience over a long season.
| Player | Goals Scored |
| Milutin Osmajić | 4 |
| Josh Dobbin | 4 |
| Kian Small | 3 |
| Ben Whiteman | 2 |
| Layton Devine | 2 |
| Frøkjær-Jensen | 2 |
The variety in goalscoring sources reflects a flexible attack, where wingers, midfielders, and defenders alike can contribute when needed.
What’s Coming Up in the Fixture List and Why Should Fans Care?
The upcoming schedule is critical. It features a series of fixtures that could either cement Preston’s playoff spot or allow competitors to gain ground. The next few weeks present both opportunities and challenges.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Competition |
| 6 Dec | Wrexham | Home | Championship |
| 9 Dec | Coventry City | Home | Championship |
| 13 Dec | Oxford United | Away | Championship |
| 20 Dec | Norwich City | Home | Championship |
| 26 Dec | Stoke City | Away | Championship |
| 29 Dec | Wrexham | Away | Championship |
This isn’t just any run of fixtures. It’s a crucial stretch against teams above and below them. Get it right, and Preston could climb into the top four. Get it wrong, and the playoffs could start slipping out of reach.
Has Ryan Lowe Cracked the Code at Deepdale?
Under the management of Ryan Lowe, Preston have made significant strides, not just in terms of results, but also in squad management and tactical flexibility. Lowe has blended youth and experience, rotated effectively to maintain fitness, and built a cohesive unit that thrives on collective responsibility.
Importantly, his team is not dependent on one standout individual. The system is the star, and that’s a hallmark of smart, sustainable football planning.
Are Preston Genuine Playoff Contenders or Just Pretenders?
At this point in the season, Preston North End must be considered serious contenders for the play-offs. They’ve proven they can earn results against the Championship’s elite, and their current position is no accident. It’s the product of consistent performances, smart recruitment, and a unified squad.
But success won’t be handed to them. Maintaining form through the festive and winter months will be vital, as will staying free of key injuries. If Preston continue to perform at this level and possibly strengthen further in January, they may not just reach the play-offs, but become one of the favourites within them.
Preston North End’s Championship Results by Month
| Month | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against |
| August | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| September | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| October | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 8 |
| November | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| December* | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Full Preston North End F.C. 2025–26 Fixtures & Results
| Date | H/A | Opponent | Competition | KO/Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 8 Jul | A | Bamber Bridge | Pre-season Friendly | (0)1 – 2(2) |
| Sat 9 Aug | A | Queens Park Rangers | Championship | (0)1 – 1(1) |
| Tue 12 Aug | A | Barrow | Carabao Cup 1 | (0)1 – 0(0) |
| Sat 16 Aug | H | Leicester City | Championship | (1)2 – 1(0) |
| Sat 23 Aug | H | Ipswich Town | Championship | (1)1 – 0(0) |
| Tue 26 Aug | H | Wrexham | Carabao Cup 2 | (2)2 – 3(1) |
| Sat 30 Aug | A | Portsmouth | Championship | (0)0 – 1(1) |
| Sat 13 Sep | H | Middlesbrough | Championship | (1)2 – 2(0) |
| Sat 20 Sep | A | Derby County | Championship | (1)1 – 0(0) |
| Sat 27 Sep | H | Bristol City | Championship | (0)0 – 0(0) |
| Tue 30 Sep | A | Hull City | Championship | (2)2 – 2(0) |
| Sat 4 Oct | H | Charlton Athletic | Championship | (0)2 – 0(0) |
| Sat 18 Oct | A | West Bromwich Albion | Championship | (0)1 – 2(1) |
| Tue 21 Oct | H | Birmingham City | Championship | (0)0 – 1(1) |
| Fri 24 Oct | H | Sheffield United | Championship | (1)3 – 2(2) |
| Sat 1 Nov | A | Southampton | Championship | (1)2 – 0(0) |
| Wed 5 Nov | H | Swansea City | Championship | (1)2 – 1(0) |
| Sat 8 Nov | A | Millwall | Championship | (1)1 – 1(1) |
| Fri 21 Nov | H | Blackburn Rovers | Championship | (1)1 – 2(1) |
| Tue 25 Nov | A | Watford | Championship | (1)1 – 1(1) |
| Sat 29 Nov | A | Sheffield Wednesday | Championship | (1)3 – 2(2) |
| Sat 6 Dec | H | Wrexham | Championship | 3pm |
| Tue 9 Dec | H | Coventry City | Championship | 7.45pm |
| Sat 13 Dec | A | Oxford United | Championship | 12.30pm |
| Sat 20 Dec | H | Norwich City | Championship | 12.30pm |
| Fri 26 Dec | A | Stoke City | Championship | 3pm |
| Mon 29 Dec | A | Wrexham | Championship | 7.45pm |
| Thu 1 Jan | H | Sheffield Wednesday | Championship | 3pm |
| Sun 4 Jan | A | Bristol City | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 17 Jan | H | Derby County | Championship | 3pm |
| Tue 20 Jan | H | Hull City | Championship | 7.45pm |
| Sat 24 Jan | A | Middlesbrough | Championship | 12.30pm |
| Sat 31 Jan | A | Ipswich Town | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 7 Feb | H | Portsmouth | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 14 Feb | H | Watford | Championship | 3pm |
| Fri 20 Feb | A | Blackburn Rovers | Championship | 8pm |
| Tue 24 Feb | A | Swansea City | Championship | 7.45pm |
| Sat 28 Feb | H | Millwall | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 7 Mar | H | Oxford United | Championship | 3pm |
| Wed 11 Mar | A | Coventry City | Championship | 7.45pm |
| Sat 14 Mar | A | Norwich City | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 21 Mar | H | Stoke City | Championship | 3pm |
| Fri 3 Apr | A | Leicester City | Championship | 3pm |
| Mon 6 Apr | H | Queens Park Rangers | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 11 Apr | A | Charlton Athletic | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 18 Apr | H | West Bromwich Albion | Championship | 3pm |
| Wed 22 Apr | A | Birmingham City | Championship | 7.45pm |
| Sat 25 Apr | A | Sheffield United | Championship | 3pm |
| Sat 2 May | H | Southampton | Championship | 12.30pm |
FAQs About Preston North End F.C. Standings
How many points do Preston have in the 2025/26 season so far?
Preston North End have accumulated 30 points from 18 matches, a return that places them 5th in the Championship table and firmly within the promotion conversation.
Are Preston North End currently in the playoff zone?
Yes. Preston sit comfortably in 5th place, positioned securely inside the playoff positions as the season progresses.
Who is Preston’s top goal scorer this season?
The club’s leading scorers are Milutin Osmajić and Josh Dobbin, who have each found the net four times, contributing significantly to the team’s attacking output.
What has been Preston’s best result so far this season?
A standout 2–0 away victory at Southampton has been the highlight of the campaign to date, showcasing both defensive resilience and attacking precision.
How’s Preston’s form over the last five games?
Across their previous five league fixtures, Preston have recorded three wins, one draw and one loss, a robust run that supports their ongoing push for a playoff berth.
How has Ryan Lowe contributed to the team’s success?
Manager Ryan Lowe has overseen a well-balanced squad, implementing thoughtful rotation, fostering depth across the pitch and establishing a collective approach that does not rely on individual brilliance alone.
What matches should fans look out for next?
The December schedule is particularly significant, with key fixtures against Coventry City, Norwich City, and Stoke City. These matches carry direct implications for Preston’s playoff ambitions and could shape the trajectory of their season.
