Preston North End vs Swansea City Predictions

Preston North End will face Swansea City at Deepdale on March 5, 2025, in a crucial Championship matchup, as Round 35 brings together a Preston squad buoyed by a recent cup upset and a Swansea City team aiming to build on a resurgence. Preston North End, under interim manager Mike Marsh (following Ryan Lowe’s departure after a 3-0 FA Cup win over Burnley on Feb 28, 2025), are projected to sit 15th with around 45 points from 34 matches as of March 3, 2025, following a 2-1 league loss to Coventry City (Feb 23, 2025), looking to capitalize on home form. Swansea City, led by Luke Williams, are expected to be 16th with approximately 42 points, coming off a 3-0 league win over Blackburn Rovers (March 1, 2025), seeking to climb the table. This expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win Preston North End vs Swansea City in this Championship clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

Preston North End

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 3): 12W, 9D, 13L (45 points, 15th in Championship)
Latest Result: 3-0 win vs. Burnley (FA Cup, Feb 28, 2025)
Home Form: 8W, 4D, 5L (19 goals scored, 15 conceded)

Preston North End have shown grit despite inconsistency, with their recent 3-0 FA Cup upset over Burnley ending a five-game league winless streak (1W, 2D, 2L) as of March 3, 2025. Projected at 45 points from 34 matches, their last home league win—a 1-0 victory over Luton Town (Feb 15, 2025)—extends an unbeaten home run to three games (2W, 1D, 0L since January). At home, they’ve averaged 1.12 goals scored and 0.88 conceded per game, relying on Emil Riis’s finishing and a stout defense, though injuries to Duane Holmes (knee) and Jack Whatmough (ankle) could test their depth under new interim leadership.

Swansea City

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 3): 12W, 6D, 16L (42 points, 16th in Championship)
Latest Result: 3-0 win vs. Blackburn Rovers (March 1, 2025)
Away Form: 4W, 4D, 9L (19 goals scored, 28 conceded)

Swansea City have turned a corner after a shaky start, with their recent 3-0 league win over Blackburn Rovers marking their second victory in three games (2W, 0D, 1L) as of March 3, 2025. Projected at 42 points from 34 matches, their last away league win—a 2-1 triumph over Coventry City (Feb 15, 2025)—offers hope, though they’ve won just once in their last six away games (1W, 2D, 3L). On the road, they’ve averaged 1.12 goals scored and 1.65 conceded per game, with Liam Cullen’s scoring (11 goals) providing a spark, but a leaky defense (54 goals conceded, 19th in the league) remains a concern.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

Overall Record: Preston North End 24W, Swansea City 30W, 18D (72 meetings since 1922)
Recent Meetings:

• Aug 17, 2024: Swansea City 3-0 Preston North End (Championship)

• Jan 1, 2024: Swansea City 2-1 Preston North End (Championship)

• Dec 29, 2023: Preston North End 0-1 Swansea City (Championship)

Key Trend: Swansea have won the last 3 meetings; 4 of the last 5 H2Hs stayed under 2.5 goals.

Swansea have dominated recent encounters, with their 3-0 win in August 2024 at Swansea.com Stadium—featuring goals from Cullen, Ronald, and Matt Grimes—highlighting their edge. Preston’s last victory over Swansea was a 1-0 result in April 2022, and matches have averaged 2.2 goals in their last five meetings, leaning toward low-scoring affairs, though Swansea’s recent scoring surge (6 goals in last 2 games) could challenge Preston’s home defensive record (0.88 goals conceded per game).

Key Players to Watch

Preston North End

• Emil Riis (FWD): 9 goals, 2 assists in 2024/25; Preston’s top scorer and physical presence.

• Mads Frøkjær-Jensen (MID): 4 goals, 3 assists; creative spark in midfield.

• Freddie Woodman (GK): 9 clean sheets; key to Preston’s defensive solidity.

Swansea City

• Liam Cullen (FWD): 11 goals, 2 assists in 2024/25; Swansea’s leading scorer and clutch finisher.

• Matt Grimes (MID): 3 goals, 5 assists; captain and playmaking anchor.

• Lawrence Vigouroux (GK): 7 clean sheets; vital despite defensive struggles.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Preston’s 3-5-2 (1.15 goals per game) relies on Riis’s finishing and Frøkjær-Jensen’s creativity, aiming to exploit Swansea’s shaky away defense (1.65 goals conceded per game), though injuries to Duane Holmes (knee), Jack Whatmough (ankle), and Kian Best (hamstring) thin their squad, with Jordan Storey doubtful (calf). Swansea’s 4-2-3-1 (1.18 goals per game) hinges on Cullen’s movement and Grimes’s passing, using their possession-based style (avg. 52% away) to counter Preston’s direct approach (avg. 46% at home). Swansea’s Joe Allen (out, toe) and Josh Ginnelly (out, Achilles) are absences, with Kyle Naughton doubtful (hamstring). Deepdale’s 23,000 fans will rally Preston, but Swansea’s recent form (5W in last 8) contrasts with Preston’s inconsistency (2W in last 5), setting up a competitive battle.

Prediction: Preston North End vs Swansea City

Our Prediction: Preston North End to Win +0

TIP 2: Corner - Over 4.5 (Team 1)