27-02-2026, 18:32
Team News
Preston North End head into this clash with an almost fully fit squad, with Robbie Brady, Liam Lindsay and Brad Potts all returning to the matchday squad against Swansea.
Daniel Iversen remains sidelined but isn’t too far away from a return to action.
The Visitors
Millwall have enjoyed a strong 2025/26 campaign so far and are placed third in the Championship table heading into this match.
The Lions have won three of their previous four league fixtures, running out 3-0 victors over Birmingham City last time out.
Former PNE manager Alex Neil has been in charge at the Den since December 2024 and has moulded Millwall into one of the division’s toughest sides.
Match Officials
Referee: Ben Toner
Assistant Referees: Graham Kane and Conor Brown
Fourth Official: Ollie Yates
Ben Toner will officiate North End’s clash with Millwall at Deepdale.
He last took charge of a match involving PNE when the Lilywhites drew with Coventry City earlier this term.
Toner has handed out 76 yellow and five red cards in 20 matches this season.
MACCERS
Stuart McCall believes that Preston North End must enjoy being in the fight for a play-off finish during the final 12 matches of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Lilywhites sit ninth in the Championship standings heading into their home clash against Millwall, trailing sixth-placed Wrexham by five points.
Two late goals have stolen valuable points away from North End in recent times, something that has frustrated the coaching staff, given the tight margins of the second-tier standings.
“The Blackburn game, there was nothing in it,” stated Stuart. “It was a game I thought would be tight. A typical derby, a bit scrappy. We were better first half. They were probably slightly better in the second half, but it had 0-0 written all over it.
“And then we lose a really poor goal right at the death. At Swansea, a different performance. Played a lot more on the front foot.
“We thought it'd be a different game. More spaces down there to hurt them, which proved in the first half. In the second half, they made the changes. They came onto us. They brought a bit of tempo to the game. But still, we'd seen it out, really.
“Another really poor bit of game management from us at the back end. We've lost two goals, which cost us three points all in. Just hugely frustrating. But it's gone now. We've got to learn from it.”
Stuart has a great deal of experience getting over the line in promotion races, as both a player and a manager, an asset that may prove valuable in the North End dressing room during the final 12 matches.
He explained that mentality is one of the most important factors throughout this period of time, and how big a role mindset can play in the final standings.
“It's a mindset as much as anything,” revealed Stuart. “Let's not look back because that's not where we're going. It's looking forward. We've dropped many points with last-minute goals, but it's gone. We can't change that.
“What we can do is make sure when we go out on Saturday that we're playing from the first whistle to the last whistle. Give it everything you've got, and let's try to have a really good end to the season. You know, football is probably the greatest job in the world, really, going out there and playing football.
“So just enjoy it and you enjoy it more by winning, naturally. That's what you've got to do.
“It's a dream, it's a belief. But the thing is, there are eight other clubs probably aiming for that sixth spot, fifth, sixth spot. They've all got the same ambition. So that's what we're going to do. And until we can't make it, then be as positive as we possibly can.”
Up next for the Lilywhites is a home contest against Millwall, who come into the fixture sitting third in the Championship standings.
With the Lions coming off the back of a 3-0 triumph over Birmingham City, North End’s assistant manager is expecting a tough test at Deepdale on Saturday.
“We analyse, as we do every game, and look back at games,” explained Stuart. “Their strengths are in the set plays, also in their counter-attacks, especially away from home.
“They've got really good individual players, Femi Azeez. They can pick either Josh Coburn or Mihailo Ivanovic up top, both well-capable strikers at this level. And they're a team that do the basics really well, well-organised, as you'd expect, under Alex.
“He's done a fantastic job down there, a good team spirit, a good work ethic. And that's something we've got to match and go beyond in a game which, as I say, I think will be a really tight, tough game. But one that we've got to make sure we can come out on the right end of.”
Preston North End head into this clash with an almost fully fit squad, with Robbie Brady, Liam Lindsay and Brad Potts all returning to the matchday squad against Swansea.
Daniel Iversen remains sidelined but isn’t too far away from a return to action.
The Visitors
Millwall have enjoyed a strong 2025/26 campaign so far and are placed third in the Championship table heading into this match.
The Lions have won three of their previous four league fixtures, running out 3-0 victors over Birmingham City last time out.
Former PNE manager Alex Neil has been in charge at the Den since December 2024 and has moulded Millwall into one of the division’s toughest sides.
Match Officials
Referee: Ben Toner
Assistant Referees: Graham Kane and Conor Brown
Fourth Official: Ollie Yates
Ben Toner will officiate North End’s clash with Millwall at Deepdale.
He last took charge of a match involving PNE when the Lilywhites drew with Coventry City earlier this term.
Toner has handed out 76 yellow and five red cards in 20 matches this season.
MACCERS
Stuart McCall believes that Preston North End must enjoy being in the fight for a play-off finish during the final 12 matches of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Lilywhites sit ninth in the Championship standings heading into their home clash against Millwall, trailing sixth-placed Wrexham by five points.
Two late goals have stolen valuable points away from North End in recent times, something that has frustrated the coaching staff, given the tight margins of the second-tier standings.
“The Blackburn game, there was nothing in it,” stated Stuart. “It was a game I thought would be tight. A typical derby, a bit scrappy. We were better first half. They were probably slightly better in the second half, but it had 0-0 written all over it.
“And then we lose a really poor goal right at the death. At Swansea, a different performance. Played a lot more on the front foot.
“We thought it'd be a different game. More spaces down there to hurt them, which proved in the first half. In the second half, they made the changes. They came onto us. They brought a bit of tempo to the game. But still, we'd seen it out, really.
“Another really poor bit of game management from us at the back end. We've lost two goals, which cost us three points all in. Just hugely frustrating. But it's gone now. We've got to learn from it.”
Stuart has a great deal of experience getting over the line in promotion races, as both a player and a manager, an asset that may prove valuable in the North End dressing room during the final 12 matches.
He explained that mentality is one of the most important factors throughout this period of time, and how big a role mindset can play in the final standings.
“It's a mindset as much as anything,” revealed Stuart. “Let's not look back because that's not where we're going. It's looking forward. We've dropped many points with last-minute goals, but it's gone. We can't change that.
“What we can do is make sure when we go out on Saturday that we're playing from the first whistle to the last whistle. Give it everything you've got, and let's try to have a really good end to the season. You know, football is probably the greatest job in the world, really, going out there and playing football.
“So just enjoy it and you enjoy it more by winning, naturally. That's what you've got to do.
“It's a dream, it's a belief. But the thing is, there are eight other clubs probably aiming for that sixth spot, fifth, sixth spot. They've all got the same ambition. So that's what we're going to do. And until we can't make it, then be as positive as we possibly can.”
Up next for the Lilywhites is a home contest against Millwall, who come into the fixture sitting third in the Championship standings.
With the Lions coming off the back of a 3-0 triumph over Birmingham City, North End’s assistant manager is expecting a tough test at Deepdale on Saturday.
“We analyse, as we do every game, and look back at games,” explained Stuart. “Their strengths are in the set plays, also in their counter-attacks, especially away from home.
“They've got really good individual players, Femi Azeez. They can pick either Josh Coburn or Mihailo Ivanovic up top, both well-capable strikers at this level. And they're a team that do the basics really well, well-organised, as you'd expect, under Alex.
“He's done a fantastic job down there, a good team spirit, a good work ethic. And that's something we've got to match and go beyond in a game which, as I say, I think will be a really tight, tough game. But one that we've got to make sure we can come out on the right end of.”
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?