Two of the Championship's bottom seven meet at Deepdale on Saturday as Preston North End take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Newly-promoted PNE have struggled back in the second tier this season, while Wolves are failing to match expectations after almost reaching the playoffs last term.

Preston

It's now no win in six Championship matches for Simon Grayson's side, who are in the bottom three and just a point off the foot of the table.

After an impressive unbeaten three-match start, Preston have lost four of five in the league, last weekend conceding twice in three minutes at Brentford after taking the leading inside 20 seconds at Griffin Park.

The Capital One Cup offered little respite in midweek as the Lilywhites came close to a second Premier League scalp of the season before Bournemouth edged the penalty shootout to earn a fourth-round tie away at Liverpool.

The biggest problem for Grayson has been goals, with Preston bagging just five in eight league games, and star man from last season Joe Garner is still waiting to break his duck in 2015-16.

Last season's top League One goalscorer has had more non-blocked shots than any other player (26) but is yet to find the net in the Championship.

At home, Preston lost just once in the league last season. They have already eclipsed that in the Championship and are still waiting for their first league win at Deepdale this term.

Recent Championship form: DLLLDL
Recent form (all competitions): WLLDLL

Wolves

Like Preston, Wolves exited the League Cup at the third-round stage on Tuesday, losing 3-0 at fellow Championship side Middlesbrough.

Kenny Jackett made several changes for the match at the Riverside and the results perhaps showcases that Wolves' squad might be a little thin to contend for promotion this season.

After seven matches, Wolves are 18th with just two wins to their name, but a good run could see them climb up the table as they are only four points behind the top six.

Last time out they picked up a steely point at home against leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, with Emiliano Martinez saving a first-half penalty before the hosts hung on for a draw following Conor Coady's straight red card shortly after half time.

Although Benik Afobe isn't suffering quite as bad a drought as Garner, the former Arsenal man has scored just one goal in his last five appearances to coincide with Wolves' struggles.

Still, the 22-year-old has scored in 12 of his last 20 appearances for the Black Country club and will be confident of finding his scoring boots again soon.

Wolves won their first match of the season at Blackburn Rovers, but since then have lost their other two away league games against Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers.

Recent Championship form: DLLWLD
Recent form (all competitions): LWWLDL

Team News

Jackett has confirmed that Wolves captain Danny Batth is available to make his first appearance of the season after overcoming a stress fracture in his foot.

Coady remains out for the visitors as he serves the second match of his three-game suspension after a rash challenge against Brighton.

Grayson, meanwhile, admitted yesterday that he has a selection headache after several players that came in for the League Cup tie with Bournemouth impressed him in midweek.

Scoreless Garner should return after missing out against the Cherries and he could be partnered by Eoin Doyle, who also got a rest on Tuesday.

Playmaker Paul Gallagher hasn't played since the end of August, but is nearing a return to full fitness.

Preston possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Vermijl, Clarke, Huntington, Cunningham; Browne, Kilkenny, Johnson; Doyle, May, Garner

Wolves possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Iorfa, Batth, Hause, Golbourne; Henry, Edwards, McDonald, Ojo; Afobe, Le Fondre

Head To Head

These two last met in the 2013-14 League One season and Preston failed to score in either game, drawing 0-0 at home before losing 2-0 at Molineux in their last encounter.

Preston's last victory at home against Wolves was in March 2008 when the Lilywhites fell behind to an Andy Keogh strike before scoring twice in the final half an hour to claim the spoils.

We say: Preston 0-1 Wolves

Neither side is in good form, but the fact Preston had to endure 120 minutes and a penalty shootout in midweek just gives Wolves the edge.