The Season So Far
League One Play-Off winners Preston North End arrive at Griffin Park today with a single league victory after seven matches played. They drew 1-1 at home to Bristol City on Tuesday night to leave them 19th in the Championship league table.
This season, their away record - one win, one draw and one loss - has seen them improve geographically. The further away from Deepdale the team get, the better the result. Last month saw them lose 2-0 to northern neighbours Hull City, hold Rotherham United to a goalless draw and beat Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 in Buckinghamshire.
Their summer transfer dealings have had a real home nations feel to them. Particularly deadline day, when they confirmed the signings of both Irish forward Eoin Doyle from Cardiff City as well as Scottish striker Stevie May from Sheffield Wednesday. The Lilywhites also welcomed Chris Kirkland [Sheffield Wednesday]; Jermaine Beckford [Bolton Wanderers] and Greg Cunningham [Bristol City].
Thorsten Stuckmann [Doncaster Rovers]; Lee Holmes [Exeter City]; Keith Keane [Cambridge United]; Jack King, Scott Wiseman and Scott Laird [Scunthorpe United]; Sylvan Ebanks-Blake [Chesterfield] and Kevin Davies [unattached] all left the club in July.
This summer the club also signed Will Keane [Manchester United] and Jordan Pickford [Sunderland].
The Gaffer
Simon Grayson is in his fourth season at Preston, putting him sixth in the list of longest-serving Championship managers. The former Leicester City and Aston Villa fullback took charge in February 2013, in place of Graham Westley.
He rescued North End from the brink of relegation in his first season, before defeat in the Play-Offs a year later. This is Grayson’s fourth managerial role, after Blackpool, Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.
Preston lost only one league match from February onwards last season to give them a Play-Off spot, and a 4-0 victory over Swindon Town at Wembley saw them return to the Championship.
Last visit
Brentford 1 Preston North End 0 Sky Bet League One 18 April 2014.
The Match Officials
Referee: Tim Robinson.
Assistant Referees: Carl Fitch and Lee Venamore.
Fourth Official: Michael Bull.
Ticket news
Visit the Preston North End ticket information page for more details. Early arrivals to Griffin Park can take advantage of a special catering offer tomorrow. You can hear live match commentary on Bees Player from 2.30pm on Saturday, with commentators Mark Burridge and special guest, former Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee.