Sunderland are looking to return to winning ways when they visit Preston on Wednesday night following a 0-0 draw at QPR at the weekend. The Black Cats are top of the Championship and unbeaten in six games (W4, D2).
Meanwhile, the Lilywhites are without a win in three (D2, L1) and are just two points above the relegation zone before the midweek Championship fixtures.
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Preston North End have lost two of their past three league games against Sunderland (W1), as many as in their previous 14 meetings (W6, D6, L2).
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Sunderland have lost three of their past five league visits to Deepdale (W1, D1), including a 2-1 defeat in August 2023.
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At Deepdale, Preston are unbeaten in their past 21 league games in midweek (W10, D11) – only Manchester City are enjoying a longer ongoing such run in the top four tiers of English football (49 games unbeaten).
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Sunderland have won both their midweek league games so far this season and could win three in a row for the first time since February 2023.
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Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom is unbeaten in five previous encounters with Sunderland in the EFL (W4, D1). Only against Birmingham (P6, W4, D2) has he faced a side more often without losing.
