(Getty Images)
Follow live coverage as Blackburn Rovers face Preston North End in the Championship today.
An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.
Last year Southampton, Leicester City and Leeds United were relegated from the top flight and all are hopeful of making a quick return – but the likes of Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland all have real promotion ambitions too.
At the other end of the table, QPR, Cardiff City and Birmingham City will hope for better campaigns than last year’s relegation struggle – while newcomers Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to survive after dramatic progress through the play-offs.
Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Blackburn Rovers FC 0 – 0 Preston North End FC
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:16
Attempt missed. Adam Wharton (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Arnór Sigurdsson.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:14
Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:10
Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Andrew Moran tries a through ball, but Sammie Szmodics is caught offside.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:08
Lewis Travis (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:08
Attempt blocked. Adam Wharton (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Tyrhys Dolan.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:08
Attempt blocked. Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Arnór Sigurdsson.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:07
Attempt missed. Liam Lindsay (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Kian Best with a cross following a corner.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:07
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Scott Wharton.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:07
Attempt blocked. Duane Holmes (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Milutin Osmajic.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:05
Foul by Andrew Moran (Blackburn Rovers).
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:05
Attempt blocked. Lewis Travis (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sammie Szmodics.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:03
Foul by Adam Wharton (Blackburn Rovers).
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
20:01
First Half begins.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
19:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End
19:00
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