Preston North End vs Leeds United: Early team news, goal and score updates at Deepdale

Leeds United visit Preston North End this afternoon in a second successive lunchtime kick-off during the Championship's Christmas fixture schedule.

Daniel Farke's men were back to winning ways with their 4-0 demolition of Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town three days ago but there has been no time for celebration or resting on laurels as Leeds have been squarely focused on their preparations for today's Boxing Day fixture.

The Whites' boss stated he is unlikely to have a day off during the festive period which sees Leeds take on Preston, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City over the next week. Farke is also likely to rotate his squad in these matches as he looks to keep as many players as fresh as possible during what will be a demanding couple of days.

Preston have just one win in their last seven Championship outings and have fallen to 13th in the table despite a promising start to the campaign. Lilywhites boss Ryan Lowe has admitted the team 'lack quality' and is hopeful his team can compete with Leeds' Premier League players and resources at Deepdale this afternoon.

Kick-off is at 12:30pm. We will have all the build-up, player arrivals, team news, goal and score updates right here throughout the day.

Predicted line-up

Farke did say he would 'mix things up' during the festive period, but in which shape or form will that come? Could see Junior Firpo perhaps coming back in from the start, as well as Willy Gnonto.

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023, 09:54 BST

Injury and fitness latest

Possible return: Jaidon Anthony [illness]

Unlikely to return: Jamie Shackleton [glute]; Sam Byram [hamstring]; Luke Ayling [knee]

Will not play: Stuart Dallas [fitness]

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023, 09:53 BST

Preston boss' pre-match comments

As long as my players show me attitude and application, that's enough for me. We don't like disappointment and at the moment we've had it at the weekend and now today, going into the Christmas period - which is not nice. I am going to have to pick myself, the staff and the players up and we'll have to go again. The lads give me everything in every game, I cannot complain on that. Decision making and lack of quality, yeah, that's what it is. But it's not for the lack of trying; they work their socks off.

Ryan Lowe

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023, 09:53 BST

Form: Leeds United

Leeds, on the other hand, have three wins in their last five, including that resounding victory against Ipswich last time out...

4-0 vs Ipswich Town

1-1 vs Coventry City

0-1 vs Sunderland

2-0 vs Blackburn Rovers

3-2 vs Middlesbrough

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023, 09:52 BST

Form: Preston North End

Today's opponents have had a rough time of it lately. A couple of heavy defeats in this bunch of results...

1-2 vs Swansea City

1-5 vs Watford

3-1 vs Huddersfield Town

0-0 vs Norwich City

0-2 vs QPR

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023, 09:51 BST

Welcome to Deepdale

Good morning, there's no place quite like it on Boxing Day: Preston.

Daniel Farke and his team due to arrive shortly, before this afternoon's 12:30pm kick-off. We'll have every kick for you right here throughout the day. Stay tuned.

Preston North End 2-1 Leeds United highlights: Meslier sent off as Whites falter at Deepdale