Preston vs West Brom - Championship

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings Preston and West Brom together at Deepdale on April 18, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the Championship occasion. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

Both camps will view the Championship meeting at Deepdale as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. Preston are mired in a difficult campaign, DLLDL over their last five and a paltry win rate of 12.5% painting a bleak picture. On their travels the visitors have been workmanlike, LDLWW in their last five and a win rate of 50% to show for it. The contrast in attacking output — 1 versus 1.25 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Phil Foden was handed a free role in the No 10 position behind striker Muamba, who scored in consecutive pre-season games.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Preston will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while West Brom will back themselves to cause problems on the break. Schalke were third bottom for possession in winning the second tier, let alone facing Bayern.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Reports suggest that Manchester United are still interested in Marc Casado, after failing to snag the 22-year-old midfielder in January.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Championship standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. England captain Harry Kane is likely to sign a new deal to extend his stay at Bayern Munich despite interest from Barcelona.