Preston North End
Founded:
Preston were originally founded as a cricket club in 1863 and played their first association football game in 1878. They became a founder member of the Football League in 1888 and were the first ever champions.
Nickname:
The Lilywhites
Background:
After relegation from the Championship in 2011, Preston have spent the past three seasons in League One. Last season, they finished fifth in the league but lost in the play-off semi finals to Rotherham United by an aggregate score of 4-2.
Past Meetings:
The two sides have met 51 times in competitive fixtures with 21 have been won by Oldham. Preston have won on 19 occasions, with 11 games finishing all square. Preston won the two most recent games in League One but Latics reigned victorious during last season's Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game.
Recent Signings:
So far, Preston have made four signings in the summer transfer window. Nick Anderton and Jack Ryan were promoted from the youth team, whilst Jamie Jones and Calum Woods joined from Leyton Orient and Huddersfield Town respectively. They have also signed Jordan Hugill from Port Vale.
Player of the Year:
Joe Garner was crowned Preston North End's Player of the Year.
Sky Bet Odds:
To win the league - 8/1
To be promoted - 9/4
To be relegated - 33/1
Rochdale
Founded:
Rochdale were formed in 1907 after two previous unsuccessful Rochdale clubs and joined the Football League in 1921 and unsuccessfully applying for induction after the First World War.
Nickname:
The Dale
Background:
Rochdale were relegated for only the third time in their history in 2012 after being promoted to League One in 2010. They finished third in League Two last season to claim the final automatic promotion place but could have won the league were in not for defeats to Newport and Southend in the season’s run-in.
Past Meetings:
The derby between Oldham and Rochdale has occurred a total of 49 times. Of these 49 games, Oldham have won 18, Rochdale have won 14 and 17 have finished as draws.
Recent Signings:
Rochdale have signed Jack Muldoon from Worksop Town and Sean McGinty from Sheffield United.
Player of the Year:
Jamie Allen was the recipient of Rochdale’s Player of the Year award in their promotion season.
Sky Bet Odds:
To win the league - 28/1
To be promoted - 10/1
To be relegated - 100/30
Scunthorpe United
Founded:
Scunthorpe were formed in 1899 and merged with Lindsey to become Scunthorpe & Lindsey United in 1910 – before joining the Midland Football League in 1912. They were not accepted to the football league until 1950 when the league structure was expanded.
Nickname:
The Iron
Background:
After relegation from the Championship in 2011, Scunthorpe were then relegated from League One in 2013 following a run of seven defeats from nine games. However, last season they were instantly promoted back to League One after finishing as runners up to Chesterfield.
Past Meetings:
The sides have met competitively on 43 occasions with Oldham winning 12. Scunthorpe have won 15, whilst 16 have ended draws.
Recent Signings:
Scunthorpe’s only signing so far has been the coup of Jennison Myrie-Williams from Port Vale on a two-year deal. The club have also renewed the deals of seven different players, including Gary McSheffrey and Niall Canavan.
Player of the Year:
Goalkeeper Sam Slocombe scooped the Scunthorpe Player of the Year award last season amongst four awards.
Sky Bet Odds:
To win the league - 25/1
To be promoted - 8/1
To be relegated - 9/2
Sheffield United
Founded:
Sheffield United were formed in 1889 at the Adelphi Hotel by Sir Charles Clegg. United were incredibly successful between 1895 and 1925 but have not won a trophy for 89 years.
Nickname:
The Blades
Background:
Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League in 2007 after one season and then relegated from the Championship just four years later. Since then, they have finished in the top seven in the last three years in League One.
Past Meetings:
The clubs have met competitively on 54 occasions with Sheffield United winning 29. Latics have won 13 games, whilst there have been 12 draws. The two meetings between the sides last season both ended 1-1, with former Latics men Jose Baxter and Chris Porter equalising for the Blades in both games.
Recent Signings:
Sheffield United have signed six players so far this summer. Jamal Cambell-Ryce, Chris Basham,, Andy Butler and Ben Davies have all arrived on free transfers.Marc McNulty and James Wallace were signed for undisclosed fees from Livingston and Tranmere respectively.
Player of the Year:
The award was won by defender Harry Maguire for the third consecutive season.
Sky Bet Odds:
To win the league - 6/1
To be promoted - 2/1
To be relegated 33/1