Follow live coverage as Stoke City 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.
Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth’s fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford.
Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Stoke City FC 0 - 0 Preston North End FC
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:25Attempt missed. Benjamin Whiteman (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:23Attempt saved. Thomas Cannon (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:20Offside, Preston North End. Duane Holmes is caught offside.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:20Foul by Wouter Burger (Stoke City).
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:18Attempt saved. Milutin Osmajic (Preston North End) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:17Offside, Stoke City. Million Manhoef is caught offside.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:17Attempt saved. Stefán Thórdarson (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Benjamin Whiteman.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:15Attempt blocked. Jack Whatmough (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:13Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Bae Jun-Ho.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:11Duane Holmes (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:12Foul by Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City).
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:11Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:10Delay in match because of an injury Kaine Kesler-Hayden (Preston North End).
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:09Offside, Preston North End. Kaine Kesler-Hayden is caught offside.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:10Attempt blocked. Thomas Cannon (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:08Thomas Cannon (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:08Offside, Stoke City. Ashley Phillips is caught offside.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:05Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Brad Potts.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:07Attempt blocked. Enda Stevens (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Million Manhoef.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:05Thomas Cannon (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:03Attempt missed. Wouter Burger (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Million Manhoef with a cross following a corner.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:03Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Benjamin Whiteman.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:02Wouter Burger (Stoke City) hits the woodwork with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box following a corner.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:01Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Brad Potts.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
20:00Attempt blocked. Million Manhoef (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
19:59Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Jordan Storey.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
19:53Offside, Preston North End. Milutin Osmajic is caught offside.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
19:53Foul by Brad Potts (Preston North End).
Stoke City vs Preston North End
19:46First Half begins.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
19:15Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Stoke City vs Preston North End
17:45Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
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