North End following the results dropped down to 16th, where they are seven points above the relegation zone, four off a top-half place, and ten off a play-off spot. Oxford defeated Millwall on Wednesday, as new boss Gary Rowett defeated his old club, to steer further away from the relegation dog fight. A win for the U's would take them above PNE.

Preston North End welcome Oxford United to Deepdale on Saturday for just the second time since the turn of the millennia (15:00 GMT).

Rowett has only been in charge for three games – winning all three – and his side have scored 27 goals and conceded 39 times in the Championship this term, records that make them the division's joint seventh-worst offensive and joint fourth-worst defensive team.

The Welshman was absent for the New Year’s Day defeat at West Brom in which the Lilywhites shipped three poor goals and were defensively vulnerable. Hughes provides balance to Preston’s play at the back and with Robbie Brady (cracked rib) set to miss out again, his return would be a boost.

Oxford United travel to Deepdale on Saturday to take on Preston North End (3:00pm kick off) for their second game of 2025.

Leeds United will look to retain their place at the top of the Championship table when they visit struggling Hull City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Watford are unbeaten in each of their past four home league games against Sheffield United (W3 D1), keeping a clean sheet in each of those matches since losing 2-0 in January 2009. Following a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane in September,