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.

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.

Blackburn Rovers FC 1 - 0 Preston North End FC

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:46

Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:46

Foul by Makhtar Gueye (Blackburn Rovers).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:43

Attempt saved. Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:42

Andrew Hughes (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:41

Goal! Blackburn Rovers 1, Preston North End 0. Makhtar Gueye (Blackburn Rovers) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tyrhys Dolan with a cross.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:37

Foul by Jack Whatmough (Preston North End).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:36

Attempt missed. Ryan Ledson (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:32

Foul by Sam Greenwood (Preston North End).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:32

Attempt blocked. Callum Brittain (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:32

Substitution, Preston North End. Jack Whatmough replaces Jordan Storey because of an injury.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:30

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:24

Attempt missed. Owen Beck (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:24

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:24

Delay in match because of an injury Jordan Storey (Preston North End).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:17

Foul by Ryan Ledson (Preston North End).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:16

Attempt missed. Emil Riis (Preston North End) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jordan Storey with a headed pass.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:15

Sam Greenwood (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:14

Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by John Buckley.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:13

Ali McCann (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:13

Foul by Ryan Ledson (Preston North End).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:10

Ryan Ledson (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:08

Foul by Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:06

Foul by Lewis Travis (Blackburn Rovers).

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:04

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Ali McCann.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:04

Attempt blocked. Makhtar Gueye (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Blackburn Rovers vs Preston North End

20:04

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Ali McCann.

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

18:00

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