Preston North End: Sky Bet Championship season preview 2016/17
Friday 5 August 2016 10:39, UK
All the transfer news, fan opinions, predictions and odds ahead of Preston's 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Last year's finish: 11th
Manager: Simon Grayson
Title odds: 80/1 with Sky Bet
First five games: Reading (A), Fulham (H), Derby (H), QPR (A), Ipswich (A)
Players In: Simon Makienok (Palmero, Loan), Chris Maxwell (Fleetwood Town, Free), Tommy Spurr (Blackburn Rovers, Free), Anders Lindegaard (West Brom. Free), Ben Pringle (Fulham, Undisclosed)
Players Out: Josh Brownhill (Bristol City, Free), Chris Kirkland (Released)
Fan's view - Ben Wignall (@BenWignall1), Benwignall.wordpress.com
Expectation: Without the financial muscle that most of the clubs in the Championship possess, it would be unfair to automatically expect another top half finish this season. Grayson has permanently snapped up three of last seasons five loan players, and seemingly stability is key for his game plan. With the addition of Ben Pringles's dynamic left foot in midfield, Joe Garner and Jermaine Beckford could help see us secure another finish in the top-12.
Most important player: Daniel Johnson. While he's not always a prominent figure in the tackle, Johnson's eight goals from midfield last season, and an ability to pop up at the right time, makes 'DJ' a threat to any Championship defence.
Who will win the league: Newcastle
Dark horse: Leeds
One Championship player you'd want to sign: Jonathan Kodjia
Ollie's prediction: 14th
It's amazing what Preston achieved last season. With Grayson and Steve Thompson at the helm it will be more of the same. A mid-table finish and maybe a good cup run would be another fine achievement. When you see some of the teams I've predicted to finish below them, fourteenth is a sensational effort. It's such a strong league.
Sky Bet odds
Preston slipped out of the Sky Bet Championship's top six last year, having finished third and fifth in the previous couple of seasons, and they are 6/1 to return to the play-off places this term. There's 13/8 available for a top-half finish, while the north-west club are 18/1 to be promoted to the top flight and 80/1 to claim title glory.
The Lillywhites open the new campaign with a trip to Reading and are 11/4 to make the perfect start and 21/10 to return home with a point in the bag.
