Follow live coverage as Derby County face Watford 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.
Derby County FC 0 - 1 Watford FC
Derby County vs Watford
16:09
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Jonathan Bond.
Derby County vs Watford
16:05
Second Half begins Derby County 0, Watford 1.
Derby County vs Watford
16:05
Substitution, Watford. Moussa Sissoko replaces Tom Dele-Bashiru.
Derby County vs Watford
15:50
First Half ends, Derby County 0, Watford 1.
Derby County vs Watford
15:50
Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time.
Derby County vs Watford
15:50
Foul by Kane Wilson (Derby County).
Derby County vs Watford
15:54
Attempt missed. Ebou Adams (Derby County) header from the centre of the box following a corner.
Derby County vs Watford
15:50
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Jonathan Bond.
Derby County vs Watford
15:49
Attempt saved. Eiran Cashin (Derby County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Osborn.
Derby County vs Watford
15:46
Ebou Adams (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Derby County vs Watford
15:45
Foul by Callum Elder (Derby County).
Derby County vs Watford
15:45
Kayden Jackson (Derby County) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Derby County vs Watford
15:43
Nathaniel Méndez-Laing (Derby County) hits the woodwork with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Derby County vs Watford
15:40
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Ben Osborn.
Derby County vs Watford
15:38
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Callum Elder.
Derby County vs Watford
15:35
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Ben Osborn.
Derby County vs Watford
15:34
Jeremy Ngakia (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
Derby County vs Watford
15:31
Foul by Curtis Nelson (Derby County).
Derby County vs Watford
15:31
Attempt missed. Kayden Jackson (Derby County) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Nathaniel Méndez-Laing with a cross following a set piece situation.
Derby County vs Watford
15:31
Kane Wilson (Derby County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Derby County vs Watford
15:31
Attempt saved. James Abankwah (Watford) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Derby County vs Watford
15:31
Attempt blocked. Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Abankwah.
Derby County vs Watford
15:28
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Callum Elder.
Derby County vs Watford
15:27
Foul by Kenzo Goudmijn (Derby County).
Derby County vs Watford
15:24
Ebou Adams (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Derby County vs Watford
15:22
Attempt missed. Jeremy Ngakia (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box.
Derby County vs Watford
15:21
Callum Elder (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Derby County vs Watford
15:17
Offside, Derby County. Kayden Jackson is caught offside.
Derby County vs Watford
15:15
Ebou Adams (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Derby County vs Watford
15:06
Goal! Derby County 0, Watford 1. Imrân Louza (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Derby County vs Watford
15:06
Attempt missed. Jerry Yates (Derby County) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Kane Wilson following a set piece situation.
Derby County vs Watford
15:05
Attempt missed. Kane Wilson (Derby County) header from the centre of the box following a set piece situation.
Derby County vs Watford
15:05
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Derby County vs Watford
15:04
Delay in match because of an injury Nathaniel Méndez-Laing (Derby County).
Derby County vs Watford
15:04
James Abankwah (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Derby County vs Watford
15:04
Nathaniel Méndez-Laing (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Derby County vs Watford
15:02
First Half begins.
Derby County vs Watford
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Derby County vs Watford
13:00
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.