A 1-0 defeat against local rivals Blackburn Rovers last weekend signalled the end of Frankie McAvoy’s tenure as Preston boss.
The Lilywhites are nine points clear of relegation danger, but have won just one of their last five matches and have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine.
The club’s second managerial search in nine months was concluded quickly with the appointment of Lowe, who was in charge of Plymouth Argyle for two-and-a-half years; the Pilgrims were fourth in League One at the time of his departure.
A home game against one of the Championship’s struggling teams presents him with a good opportunity to get off to a strong start, with Preston having been beaten only twice in 10 league games at Deepdale this season.
The Lancashire outfit have lost just one of their last seven matches against Barnsley and won 2-0 against the Tykes in their most recent meeting in May.
Of course, Barnsley themselves have changed manager recently too, with Poya Asbaghi replacing Markus Schopp in mid-November.
The Iranian-born coach is still looking for his first win in charge, after losing against Swansea City and then drawing against Peterborough United and Huddersfield Town.
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The Tykes have only won two games all season and only one of their last 19 matches, leaving them eight points adrift of safety in the relegation zone.
Barnsley are the only side in the Championship yet to win an away game this season, while they are also the division’s lowest scorers with just 14 goals to their name.
With the team’s following three fixtures all against sides currently in the top six, Asbaghi will be desperate to get a victory under his belt on Saturday afternoon
