I’m no expert on Preston North End, but I thought it might be worth trying to predict their starting XI for tomorrow’s game at Deepdale against the Imps.
They’ve played a handful of different formations recently: it’s possible they’ll go 4-4-2, which they used at home in their win against Blackburn. They’ve also played a 3-5-2 and could look to match us up, as our 3-4-3 isn’t wholly different, and that’s what I’ve gone for. With three centre-backs, they’ll hope to occupy our three forwards and cause us issues down the sides. We’re quite a tight team, but anyone watching will think that’s where we can be hurt.
With that in mind, there will also be changes for them. Caleb Wiley is in line to return at left wing-back if Andrija Vukčević misses out because of a back injury. Liam Gibbs and Stan Mills are options in midfield and out wide, but Brad Potts and captain Ali McCann remain sidelined.
A 3-5-2 formation appears likely, with Alfie Devine operating ahead of Léo Leroy and Gibbs. Callum Lang and Johnny Kenny could form the front two. Here’s my best guess as an Imp looking on.
Daniel Iversen
Daniel Iversen should retain his place in goal after starting all six of Preston’s Championship fixtures this season. The Danish goalkeeper initially had two successful loan spells at Deepdale before joining permanently from Leicester City in July 2025.
Iversen was Preston’s Player of the Year in 2021/22 and has also represented Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, OH Leuven and Stoke City. He made 36 league appearances for North End last season.
Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke is likely to start on the right side of Preston’s back five. He has begun five league matches since arriving from Ipswich Town in August, with his ability to operate at right-back or centre-back making him well suited to the role.
The 25-year-old developed in Arsenal’s academy before gaining senior experience during loan spells with Oldham Athletic, Ross County, Hibernian and Stoke City. He returned to his hometown club Ipswich in 2023 and helped them win consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League.
Jordan Storey
Jordan Storey is the longest-serving player in the predicted Preston side, having joined from Exeter City in June 2018. He has started four Championship matches this season and is expected to occupy the central position in the back three.
The defender has made more than 200 league appearances for North End, establishing himself as a dependable figure at Deepdale. His time with the club has included a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday during the second half of the 2021/22 season.
Lewis Gibson
Lewis Gibson offers a naturally left-footed option in Preston’s defence and should line up alongside Storey and Clarke. He has started four league games and made one substitute appearance this season.
The former Newcastle United and Everton academy player joined North End from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025. Gibson has also represented England at youth level and was part of the squad that won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017.
Odel Offiah
Odel Offiah could complete the central defensive unit after making two league starts and two appearances from the bench this term. He is capable of playing at centre-back or right-back, giving Preston some flexibility within their expected system.
Offiah came through Brighton and Hove Albion’s academy and made six Premier League appearances for the Seagulls. A productive loan spell at Blackpool preceded his permanent move to Preston in July 2025.
Caleb Wiley
With Andrija Vukčević struggling with a back problem, Caleb Wiley is in line to return at left wing-back. The Chelsea loanee has started twice and appeared once as a substitute in the Championship this season, scoring one goal.
Wiley began his career with Atlanta United and made 77 MLS appearances before Chelsea signed him in 2024. The United States international has since gained European experience on loan with Strasbourg and spent time in the Championship with Watford.
Léo Leroy
Léo Leroy could provide Preston with a physical and technically capable presence in central midfield. The Frenchman has started five of their six league matches since completing his summer move from Basel.
The 26-year-old spent much of his development at Rennes before making his professional breakthrough with Châteauroux. He later made 72 Ligue 1 appearances for Montpellier and helped Basel win the Swiss Super League title in 2024/25.
Liam Gibbs
Liam Gibbs is pushing for his first Preston league start after twice appearing from the bench following his deadline-day loan move from Norwich City. Injuries to Ali McCann and Brad Potts could create an opportunity for him in the middle of the pitch.
The 23-year-old progressed through Ipswich Town’s academy before crossing the East Anglian divide to join Norwich in 2021. He made 85 league appearances for the Canaries and was named their Young Player of the Season in 2022/23.
Alfie Devine
Alfie Devine is likely to take up the most advanced role in Preston’s midfield and he could be the one to watch. He has started all six of their Championship matches this season, having returned to Deepdale permanently following an impressive loan spell, with a club record fee cited (believed to be £6m).
The former Tottenham Hotspur player scored eight times across 45 league appearances for North End last season and was named the club’s Young Player of the Year. Devine previously gained senior experience with Port Vale, Plymouth Argyle and Belgian side Westerlo.
Callum Lang
Callum Lang should be one of Preston’s main attacking threats after scoring three goals from five starts and one substitute appearance this season. He joined North End from Portsmouth in February 2026 for £2m and can play through the middle or from the right.
Lang came through Wigan Athletic’s academy and scored 27 league goals for the Latics, while loan spells with Morecambe and Oldham Athletic also produced regular goals. He later helped Portsmouth win promotion from League One in 2023/24. He’s a player I always cite when talking about multiple loans, as he had a couple while at Wigan, but has gone on to better things.
Johnny Kenny
Johnny Kenny could make only his second league start for Preston after joining from Celtic on deadline day. The Republic of Ireland international has so far started once and made one appearance from the bench.
Kenny began his senior career with Sligo Rovers before moving to Celtic in January 2022. He scored 13 league goals during his second loan spell with Shamrock Rovers and added six more while on loan at Bolton Wanderers during the second half of last season. I really like Kenny, he’s tricky, forward-thinking and was a huge threat against us for Bolton in February.