Deepdale opener with licence to thrill
The big kick-off is finally upon us, the English Football League makes its breathless return this weekend and Frankie McAvoy’s Preston North End welcome Hull City back to the second tier on Saturday. The Tigers were crowned League One champions last term, with the club sticking with Grant McCann after their Championship relegation in 2019/20. The 41-year-old manager learnt from his mistakes and manipulated a similar squad to fire their way to the top of League One and rejoin the Championship with a sense of optimism. There are rumblings off the pitch as has been the case for far too long with Hull now, having to deal with transfer restrictions this summer but making the most of it. In the post-Alex Neil era, the Tigers will fancy their chances at Deepdale.
Background
There has been a great sense of continuity of personnel in both of these sides in the last few years with Preston’s key attackers, Alan Browne, Daniel Johnson, Scott Sinclair, Tom Barkhuizen and Sean Maguire having had time in the past few seasons to settle down at the club. Perennial overperformers they seemed under Neil, providing an excellent platform for McAvoy to take on the mantle. Patrick Bauer’s injury still leaves a hole in the backline leading towards my angle for this fixture, seeing attack as the best form of defence for both sides.
Despite operating under transfer restrictions the Tigers have managed to acquire some exciting acquisitions, particularly in offense. Attack minded midfielders George Moncur and Andy Cannon arrive from Luton Town and Portsmouth, with Randell Williams and Ryan Longman bolstering wide areas. Mallik Wilks is the star man, a player who was head and shoulders too good for League One last term, and maturing into a versatile forward, capable of holding his own when played through the middle.
I am firmly expecting both of these sides to finish in the bottom half but comfortably above the relegation zone. McCann is improving as a manager at such a vast trajectory and is ready to demonstrate why he is an adept man to have in the dugout at second tier level. McAvoy comes into this season with a lot to prove, they have seen a lot of attacking squad depth leave the club this summer and should injuries occur the Lilywhites will be in trouble.
There is value in some kind of insurance play with Hull onside, they will be desperate to get off to a good start and go in with less pressure on their shoulders. But in not fancying either team’s rearguard, the selection was simple for this fixture.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
This one copped before the break, with the rampant Tigers coming from behind to win 4-1.