The Blades have shown signs of clicking into gear after a difficult start to the season, with Chris Wilder's side initially struggling to recover from the summer departures of Callum O'Hare, Gus Hamer and Andre Brooks.
O'Hare will be back in South Yorkshire for the first time since his deadline-day move to Wrexham, with the visitors arriving 17th in the Championship after a challenging start to life in the second tier.
Patrick Bamford could keep his place despite coming off with a shoulder issue last weekend against Derby County but Ryan One is still out after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out for most of the season.
Here’s the side we’d pick to face the Red Dragons - have we got it just about right or would you do anything differently?
1. Michael Cooper
Cooper looks certain to keep his place between the posts at Deepdale. He could have been sat with us in the press box against Wrexham and will hope for another serene evening this time out | Jason Brown
2. Hamza Choudhury
With Seriki not yet fit to start, according to boss Wilder pre-game, Choudhury is expected to continue at right-back, where his defensive discipline offers United a solid option. He will have to be switched on against Preston's threat down the flanks with Seriki expected to get some action off the bench again later on
3. Japhet Tanganga
Tanganga will keep his place at the heart of the defence, barring any unforeseen circumstances. His physicality and ability to deal with direct balls will be important against a Preston side looking to get their forwards involved early as they eye a season-starting win | Sportimage
4. Mark McGuinness
With Liam Kitching suspended after picking up his fifth booking against Wrexham, McGuinness could come into the side alongside Tanganga. Baptiste and McCallum are other options but McGuinness came off the bench on Friday and appears to be the next cab off the rank | Sportimage