Preston North End vs Stoke City LIVE: Championship result, final score and reaction

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A general view of Deepdale (Getty Images)

Follow live coverage as Preston North End 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.

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Mads Frökjaer-Jensen.

5 April 2025 16:26

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Attempt blocked. Eric-Junior Bocat (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

5 April 2025 16:26

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Substitution, Preston North End. Will Keane replaces Sam Greenwood.

5 April 2025 16:26

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Eric-Junior Bocat (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

5 April 2025 16:22

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Attempt saved. Sam Greenwood (Preston North End) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.

5 April 2025 16:22

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Substitution, Stoke City. Ali Al-Hamadi replaces Bae Jun-Ho.

5 April 2025 16:20

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by David Cornell.

5 April 2025 16:19

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Attempt saved. Lewis Baker (Stoke City) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the centre of the goal.

5 April 2025 16:19

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Attempt blocked. Sam Gallagher (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

5 April 2025 16:19

Preston North End vs Stoke City

Attempt saved. Bae Jun-Ho (Stoke City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Million Manhoef with a through ball.

5 April 2025 16:19