Follow live coverage as Sheffield United face Middlesbrough 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.

Sheffield United FC 3 - 1 Middlesbrough FC

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:56

Match ends, Sheffield United 3, Middlesbrough 1.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:55

Second Half ends, Sheffield United 3, Middlesbrough 1.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:53

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Luke Ayling.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:53

Foul by Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:51

Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:51

Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:51

Substitution, Sheffield United. Hamza Choudhury replaces Sydie Peck.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:51

Substitution, Sheffield United. Tom Davies replaces Harrison Burrows.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:49

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Marcus Forss replaces Aidan Morris.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:47

Goal! Sheffield United 3, Middlesbrough 1. Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) header from very close range following a corner.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:46

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by George Edmundson.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:44

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:44

Attempt saved. Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by George Edmundson.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:44

Attempt saved. Tyrese Campbell (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:44

Substitution, Sheffield United. Sam McCallum replaces Gustavo Hamer because of an injury.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:44

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:41

Delay in match because of an injury Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:41

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Michael Cooper.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:41

Attempt saved. Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Luke Ayling.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:41

Foul by Tyrese Campbell (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:40

Offside, Middlesbrough. Delano Burgzorg is caught offside.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:44

Offside, Middlesbrough. Hayden Hackney is caught offside.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:39

Offside, Sheffield United. Ben Brereton is caught offside.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:39

Attempt missed. George Edmundson (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Daniel Barlaser with a cross following a corner.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:38

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Harry Clarke.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:38

Foul by Sydie Peck (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:37

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:36

Goal! Sheffield United 2, Middlesbrough 1. Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sydie Peck with a through ball following a fast break.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:35

Hand ball by Harry Clarke (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:33

Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:33

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Morgan Whittaker replaces Samuel Iling-Junior.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:33

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Tommy Conway replaces Kelechi Iheanacho.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:33

Attempt blocked. Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Clarke.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:30

Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:30

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Rav van den Berg.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:30

Attempt blocked. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Clarke.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:29

Attempt blocked. Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tyrese Campbell.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:28

Attempt missed. Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Aidan Morris.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:28

Substitution, Sheffield United. Ben Brereton replaces Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:25

Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:21

Attempt missed. Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Hayden Hackney following a fast break.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:20

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:20

Offside, Middlesbrough. Kelechi Iheanacho is caught offside.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:17

Foul by Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:17

Foul by Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:16

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Daniel Barlaser replaces Finn Azaz.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:16

Foul by Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:15

Attempt saved. Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:14

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by George Edmundson.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:11

Attempt saved. Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:11

Foul by Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:06

Attempt missed. Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box following a corner.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:06

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Ryan Giles.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:05

Second Half begins Sheffield United 1, Middlesbrough 1.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

21:05

Substitution, Sheffield United. Tyrese Campbell replaces Thomas Cannon.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:50

First Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Middlesbrough 1.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:47

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Harrison Burrows.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:48

Attempt blocked. Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Delano Burgzorg.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:46

Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:45

Goal! Sheffield United 1, Middlesbrough 1. Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:45

Michael Cooper (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:43

George Edmundson (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:43

Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:43

Penalty Middlesbrough. George Edmundson draws a foul in the penalty area.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:42

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Anel Ahmedhodzic.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:42

Attempt saved. Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Delano Burgzorg.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:39

Attempt missed. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:39

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:37

Foul by Thomas Cannon (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:37

Delay in match because of an injury Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:38

Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:37

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:35

Delay in match because of an injury Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:35

Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:35

Foul by Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:33

Goal! Sheffield United 1, Middlesbrough 0. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner following a fast break.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:31

Attempt missed. Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:31

Offside, Sheffield United. Callum O'Hare is caught offside.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:29

Foul by Sydie Peck (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:28

Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:27

Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:27

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Luke Ayling.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:27

Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:23

Attempt saved. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:22

Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:20

Attempt missed. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:23

Attempt blocked. Thomas Cannon (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:17

Foul by Thomas Cannon (Sheffield United).

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:15

Attempt missed. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Vinicius Souza.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:12

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Samuel Iling-Junior.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:11

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Luke Ayling.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:09

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Luke Ayling.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:07

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Samuel Iling-Junior.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:07

Attempt blocked. Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:06

Attempt saved. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:06

Attempt saved. Callum O'Hare (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:04

Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:03

Attempt blocked. Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

20:01

First Half begins.

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

19:30

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website