Wolverhampton Wanderers face their first away league test of the new Championship season on Saturday, and the trip to Deepdale could provide an early answer to one important question: how quickly can Wolves adjust to life outside the Premier League? After an opening-day draw that left plenty to improve on, César Peixoto’s side will be determined to leave Preston with all three points.
Wolves began their campaign with a 2–2 draw against Blackburn Rovers, a result that produced mixed feelings for supporters. The team showed enough attacking quality to score twice, but conceding two goals at home meant they couldn’t complete what would’ve been a winning start.
The late drama against Blackburn was particularly memorable. Raúl Jiménez stepped up in the 93rd minute to convert a penalty, rescuing a point for Wolves and giving the Mexican striker an early opportunity to make his presence felt. His ability to deliver when the pressure is highest could become increasingly important as Wolves chase promotion.
Now, Peixoto takes his team on the road for the first time in the league since taking charge. Away matches in the Championship can be unforgiving, and Deepdale is unlikely to provide Wolves with an easy afternoon. The manager will be looking for a more disciplined performance, particularly after some of the defensive issues that surfaced against Blackburn.
Preston North End also have something to prove. Paul Heckingbottom’s team opened the season with a 2–1 defeat away to Bolton Wanderers, leaving them without a point after the first round of fixtures. Returning to Deepdale gives Preston the chance to respond immediately, and facing one of the division’s biggest promotion candidates adds another layer to the contest.
The opening results make the match difficult to predict. Wolves have the stronger promotion expectations and possess plenty of experience from their recent Premier League years, but Preston have home advantage and will know that another poor result would leave them playing catch-up very early in the campaign.
For Wolves, the pressure isn’t simply about winning one game. Relegation has changed the expectations surrounding the club, with promotion back to the Premier League likely to be the main objective. Wolves are among the sides expected to compete toward the top of the Championship, meaning dropped points in matches like this could become costly when the season reaches its decisive stages.
Peixoto therefore has little reason to be satisfied with simply collecting draws. The opening point against Blackburn prevented a defeat, but Wolves need to start turning promising performances into victories if they’re going to establish themselves as serious promotion contenders.
Preston, however, won’t be interested in Wolves’ expectations. Their immediate focus will be on exploiting any weaknesses the visitors showed in their opening match. Wolves conceded twice at Molineux, and Preston’s players will know that putting the visiting defence under sustained pressure could create opportunities.
The midfield battle could be especially important. If Preston can disrupt Wolves’ passing and stop the visitors from controlling possession, the home side could make the game uncomfortable. Wolves, on the other hand, will want to dictate the tempo and make their superior attacking options count.
There’s also a little history between these clubs. Their most recent competitive meeting came in the EFL Cup in August 2022, when Wolves defeated Preston 2–1 at Molineux. That result, though several years old, provides another reminder that the two sides are familiar opponents.
This weekend’s meeting carries a different significance because it comes in the Championship, where every point matters over a 46-game season. Wolves need to establish momentum quickly, while Preston need to avoid allowing an opening-day defeat to turn into a difficult start.
The scheduled 3:00 p.m. kickoff at Deepdale on Saturday gives both sides another opportunity to put their first results behind them. Wolves will be chasing their first victory, while Preston will be hoping their home support can inspire a response after the disappointment at Bolton.
For Wolves supporters, the key issue is whether the team can produce the kind of complete performance that was missing against Blackburn. Scoring twice and rescuing a late point showed character, but promotion contenders need consistency as well as resilience.
The fixture has not been postponed and remains scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. UK time at Preston’s Deepdale stadium. Both clubs enter the game looking for their first Championship victory of the campaign, although they arrive in very different circumstances following their opening fixtures.
For Preston, the challenge is equally clear. They must find a way to contain a Wolves side expected to challenge near the top of the division while making home advantage count.
By the final whistle at Deepdale, both managers could have a much clearer idea of where their teams stand. Wolves want three points to announce their promotion intentions early, while Preston will be desperate to derail those ambitions and put their own season back on track.
