Summary

  • West Brom top at Christmas despite being held by Brentford

  • Fulham beat Leeds to move up to third

  • Barnsley score late winner to move off bottom, Derby thrashed 3-0 at Reading

  • Also wins for Huddersfield, Hull & Swansea

  • Bolton beat fellow strugglers Southend in League One

  • Stevenage beaten 5-1 to go bottom of EFL on Westley's return

Live Reporting

Jay Freeman and Ian Woodcock

  1. Jason Perry
    Former Cardiff player on BBC Radio Wales

    Out of possession Cardiff are playing 4-4-2, in possession it's more like a 4-3-3 with Mendez-Laing getting forward. There's a lot more structure here under Neil Harris.

  2. Cardiff 0-0 Preston

    Wales international Jazz Richards is on the left flank of Cardiff's defence as he makes his first appearance of the season, with Lee Peltier staying in his familiar right-back role.

    Further forward for the hosts, it is Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the right and Josh Murphy playing on the left.

  3. 14th time the charm for Aden Flint?

    The Cardiff City central defender has not won in 13 previous career appearances v Preston.

  4. Cardiff 0-0 Preston

    Preston have only won away twice in the league this season, but they have started okay here.

    Alex Neil's team are enjoying some good early possession.

  5. KICK-OFF

    Cardiff 0-0 Preston

    We are off and running. Cardiff, all in blue, will attack the goal to the right of the television gantry in the first half.

    Preston, who are in their traditional white shirts, are attacking the Canton Stand.

  6. Good elf to one and all!

    It's starting to look at lot like Christmas at Cardiff City Stadium, as festive fans arrive for this lunchtime's game with Preston.Rex Features

    It's starting to look at lot like Christmas at Cardiff City Stadium, as festive fans arrive for this lunchtime's game with Preston.

  7. Harris managing the change 'very well'

    Jason Perry
    Former Cardiff player on BBC Radio Wales

    Neil HarrisGetty Images

    I think we all have to agree Neil Warnock is a good manager, but his biggest mistake was coming out to say I'm retiring at the end of the season.

    That changed the dynamic. Lee Tomlin couldn't get in the side and teams worked Cardiff out.

    Since Neil Harris has come in he's managed the change very, very well, Cardiff still might make the play-offs.

  8. Cardiff make five changes

    Cardiff v Preston (12:30 GMT)

    Cardiff starting XIBBC Sport

    Cardiff City boss Neil Harris rings the changes ahead of the busy festive period.

    Jazz Richards' return is the headline news while Harris also recalls Curtis Nelson, Leandro Bacuna, Robert Glatzel and Josh Murphy.

  9. Two changes for Preston

    Preston starting XIBBC Sport

    Preston have made two changes to the side which beat Luton 2-1 last Saturday.

    Captain Tom Clarke returns to the team in place of right-back Darnell Fisher and Tom Barkhuizen comes in for David Nugent up front.

    Clarke scored a 90th-minute winner the last time these two sides met in December 2017.

  10. Welcome to Wales

    Cardiff v Preston (12.30 GMT)

    Cardiff City StadiumGetty Images

    Good afternoon from south Wales, where high-flying Preston North End are aiming to close the gap on the Championship's top two by getting the better of Cardiff City.

    Alex Neil's Preston side are third in the table, but start the day 10 points behind second-placed Leeds despite winning their last two games.

    They know nothing will come easy against a Cardiff side who, though they are in mid-table, boast one of the best home records in the division.

    Neil Harris is yet to lose on this ground having succeeded Neil Warnock as Bluebirds boss in November, though on paper this looks the toughest test yet.