Meanwhile, here's some more on the news that broke earlier this afternoon that Wigan Athletic have gone in to administration. It looks set to put the mid-table Latics deep in relegation trouble.

The English Football League say Wigan will be deducted 12 points. The sanction will be applied at the end of this season if they finish outside the bottom three after 46 games.

Should Wigan finish in the relegation zone, the penalty will be applied during the 2020-21 season instead.

Paul Cook's men have won all three of their games since the restart to go 14th in the table.

As Derby fans have become accustomed to of late, former England skipper Wayne Rooney is sitting deep in his midfield role for the Rams. The visitors are looking for the runs of Martyn Waghorn in these early stages.

Image source, Getty Images

A mix-up at the back for Preston presents Martyn Waghorn with the first chance to run through on goal, but his left-foot effort is kept out by a strong save from Declan Rudd from close range.

Nothing comes from Derby's corner that follows.

Preston have lost four of their past five league games, while Derby have won their last four in a row.

Will the Rams keep their fine form going tonight, or can North End halt them in their tracks?

After all the players and the officials take a knee, Preston kick things off and get their 5,000th league game under way. A landmark match for North End.

After a blast of Avicii's Levels on the PA, the players are out at Deepdale, with Derby heading out first and then Preston, under the new safety rules regarding social distancing.

It's a sunny evening with a bright blue sky above the ground.

Image source, .

I did say it was tight in the chasing pack... It's a massive evening for Preston and Derby's seasons.

No doubt Cardiff fans will be hoping for a draw...

Image source, PA Media

Preston have made five changes for this game, while the visitors Derby make four - one of which is enforced through suspension, after Wales' Tom Lawrence was sent off in their win over Reading on Saturday.

Preston XI: Rudd, Pearson, Davies, Browne, Gallagher, Rafferty, Hughes, Huntington, Sinclair, Nugent, Potts.

Derby XI: Hamer, Waghorn, Clarke, Evans, Holmes, Lowe, Rooney, Bogle, Knight, Sibley, Bird.

It's not just our early game that's a big one though. Tonight's four games have all got lots riding on them. Later on, second-placed West Brom will have a chance to go five points clear of third-placed Brentford, but there's plenty coming up before that (all time BST):

• Preston North End v Derby County (17:00)
• Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town (18:00)
• Nottingham Forest v Bristol City (18:00)
• Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion (19:45)

Preston and Derby go in to this game level on points, with seventh-placed Preston's goal-difference just one goal greater than Derby's, who are ninth. Swansea are sandwiched in between the pair. It's so, so tight in the race for the top six.

A win this evening for either North End or the Rams would move them on to 60 points, just one behind sixth-placed Cardiff City.

Good afternoon to you all, ahead of another big evening of English Football League action. The battles for automatic promotion, the play-off places and avoiding relegation could all take another twist this evening, with teams in action at both ends of the Championship table.

The day's drama has already begun, with the shock news that Wigan Athletic have gone into administration - we'll have more on that concerning situation shortly.

Meanwhile though, there are four big games coming up in the Championship tonight, starting with seventh against ninth, as two play-offs hopefuls meet at Deepdale. Preston v Derby is a 17:00 BST kick-off.

Let's get down to business.

Image source, Rex Features