Preston Host Wigan in FA Cup with Lowe's Return

Preston North End face Wigan Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup at Deepdale on Friday evening, marking the return of former Preston manager Ryan Lowe to the Lancashire club he left in August 2024. The match, set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, revives a local rivalry absent from the calendar for three years and offers both sides a chance to advance amid contrasting league fortunes.

Preston, currently fourth in the Championship with 43 points from 26 matches, enter the contest in strong form after back-to-back victories to start 2026. A 3-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday was followed by a 2-0 success at Bristol City, extending an unbeaten run to six Championship games since late November and positioning the Lilywhites just three points behind second-placed Middlesbrough in the promotion race. Manager Paul Heckingbottom's side reached the FA Cup quarterfinals last season for the first time since 1966, defeating Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers, and Burnley before a 3-0 loss to Aston Villa. Preston hold a favorable recent record against Wigan, winning four of the last five meetings, including the past four home encounters by an aggregate score of 10-1. Wigan's last victory...