Follow live coverage as Cardiff City face Stoke City 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.
Cardiff City FC 0 - 0 Stoke City FC
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:10
First Half ends, Cardiff City 0, Stoke City 0.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:10
Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:09
Foul by Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:09
Foul by Will Fish (Cardiff City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:09
Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:08
Perry Ng (Cardiff City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:09
Foul by Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:08
Attempt missed. Perry Ng (Cardiff City) header from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Calum Chambers with a cross.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:07
Attempt saved. Ashley Phillips (Stoke City) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Wouter Burger.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:04
Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Perry Ng.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:07
Attempt blocked. Jordan Thompson (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:03
Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:03
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:01
Delay in match because of an injury Ashley Phillips (Stoke City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:01
Foul by Yousef Salech (Cardiff City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
16:00
Fourth official has announced 12 minutes of added time.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:36
Delay in match (Stoke City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:35
Foul by Bae Jun-Ho (Stoke City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:35
Attempt blocked. Cian Ashford (Cardiff City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum O'Dowda with a cross.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:33
Attempt blocked. Million Manhoef (Stoke City) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by Wouter Burger.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:31
Foul by Bae Jun-Ho (Stoke City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:31
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:25
Delay in match because of an injury Callum Robinson (Cardiff City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:24
Attempt missed. Cian Ashford (Cardiff City) header from the centre of the box.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:21
Bae Jun-Ho (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:21
Foul by Perry Ng (Cardiff City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:22
Attempt blocked. Yousef Salech (Cardiff City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:18
Attempt saved. Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jesper Daland.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:16
Attempt blocked. Callum Robinson (Cardiff City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:12
Attempt missed. Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:12
Attempt missed. Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Robertson.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:12
Corner, Cardiff City. Conceded by Ashley Phillips.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:12
Attempt blocked. Alex Robertson (Cardiff City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:12
Attempt blocked. Will Alves (Cardiff City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yousef Salech.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:08
Attempt missed. Will Fish (Cardiff City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Calum Chambers.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:08
Calum Chambers (Cardiff City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:05
Attempt missed. Lewis Baker (Stoke City) right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:05
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:05
Delay in match because of an injury Calum Chambers (Cardiff City).
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
15:01
First Half begins.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
13:01
Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
Whether it's Premier League, Champions League, a European Championship or the World Cup we will keep you up to date with everything you need to know.
We will have all the latest scores, goals and updates plus analysis and reaction throughout the game here.