Follow live coverage as Stoke City face Blackburn Rovers 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.

Ali Al-Hamadi's return to scoring form against Blackburn Rovers could provide a huge boost to both loan side Stoke City, as they look to avoid Championship relegation this season, and parent club Ipswich Town, who may need to rely on him up-front in the second tier in 2025/26.

Cardiff City will look to avoid dropping into the relegation zone as they visit play off chasers Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 GMT). The Bluebirds are only one point above 22nd placed Derby County and within three points of basement dwellers Plymouth Argyle.

Playoff-chasing Blackburn Rovers will look to end a three-game winless run when they travel to the bet365 Stadium for Wednesday's Championship clash against Stoke City. Like their opponents, relegation-threatened Stoke will also be desperate to claim all three points after failing to win any of their last four matches.

New boss Valerien Ismael has also been without John Buckley, Owen Beck, Danny Batth, Andi Weimann, Harry Pickering, Harry Leonard and Scott Wharton after replacing Derby-bound John Eustace. Emmanuel Dennis is scheduled to return, however.

The Bluebirds welcomed Blackburn Rovers to Cardiff City Stadium in April 2013 looking to further their promotion prospects. City took the lead late in the first half through Fraizer Campbell who found space at the back post to head home and give the Bluebirds the advantage.

Cardiff City are in Sky Bet Championship action on Saturday afternoon, taking on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.