Alan Irvine was happy to see his Preston North End side handed a home start against City in 2009/10.

The Lily Whites chief admits the game will be "very tough" but also believes the fact City have been in the Championship for two seasons now may help his charges.

"I'm happy to be starting with a home game," Irvine told Preston's official website, pnefc.net.

"We had an extremely difficult away game last year, at Ipswich. We won it and that gave us a great start and a great platform, but it is good to be at home at the beginning."

Fixture List: Full details of the 2009/10 release
BCFC Blog: Fixture analysis for 2009/10

He added: "Bristol City is a very tough game. They are one of the teams who will be expected to compete for a play-off place and are a team who we have had some tough games against.

"I think it is a game that both teams will be looking forward to and one that will give both a good idea as to how well their pre-season has gone.

"I was delighted that we weren't drawn against one of the promoted teams away from home on the very first day, because that is always extremely difficult.

"I experienced that as a player at Everton when we went to Watford on the opening day and they were excellent. They were extremely enthusiastic, looking forward to the game and if you don't match that, then you have a problem.

"I am pleased in some ways that it is Bristol City, as they are a team who have now been in the division for a couple of years and that initial excitement and adrenaline wont be there, albeit that it is an extremely difficult game."

Preston lost out in the play-off semi-finals in season 2008/09.