Sheffield United work an opportunity around the Sunderland box, which zips about before ending up at the feet of Rhian Brewster, but a ferocious drive is well-saved by Anthony Patterson.

West Brom have had the best chance through Jake Livermore, whose shot from the top of the area was well saved by Ryan Allsop in the Cardiff goal.

But it's been a quiet start otherwise at The Hawthorns in terms of clear cut chances.

Ross Heaton
BBC Radio Lancashire

Defender Tom McIntyre with a bullet header from close range off the corner!

Reading looking good early, first to the ball, playing with lots of intensity and a bit of bite.

Dwight Gayle thinks he has Stoke's second, but Middlesbrough are reprieved after he was deemed to have fouled goalkeeper Zach Steffen.

Sunderland defender Danny Batth breathes easily as referee James Linington waves away Blades player George Baldock's claims for a penalty.

Baldock raced in off the right to collect a ball over the top, and the two brushed each other before the wing-back went down.

Nothing doing.

Luke O'Nien is knocked off his feet by a thunderous effort on the edge of the box from Oli Norwood for Sheffield United.

The Sunderland utility man is playing centre-half tonight and was in the right place.

Then Sunderland break themselves, a ball is played up to Ross Stewart who teases his way towards the box before letting a skiddy drive go that sizzles just wide.

Hosts on top in the early exchanges at The Hawthorns.

Grady Diangana whips in an inviting cross but Karlan Grant can't quite get to it.

Early blow for Cardiff as Jamilu Collins is forced off with what could be a knee injury.

Callum O'Dowda is on in his place.

Sunderland wing-back Lynden Gooch whizzes in a peach of a cross, right between keeper and defenders, but the onrushing Ross Stewart was just unable to get a toe to it.

Sheffield United then break but a loose pass is behind Rhian Brewster and Sunderland recover to smother.

Riley McGree is pushing up for Middlesbrough, trying to get onto things in the box but his goal-bound flick is covered smartly by Josef Bursik.

Nice play by Ryan Giles again, busy down the left.

Stoke striker Dwight Gayle, who set up Jacob Brown for his chance, comes close to scoring himself.

It's a looping volley after chesting down a pass, which sails wide.

Bright start from the (very, very) early Championship leaders Blackburn and Ben Brereton Diaz with the first attempt.

Neat play, controls with his chest on the edge of the area, creates himself some space for the shot but it's dragged well wide.

Alex Pritchard is Sunderland's pivot, the maverick with creativity in his boots but he almost hands Sheffield United an early boost.

He lost the ball on the edge of his own box and Rhian Brewster drove into the box, but his fiercely struck shot zinged well wide.

Pritchard's hand raised in apology was just about met with forgiveness!

Sheffield United forced a corner which was swung in but Boro were able to clear.

They've had plenty of possession too, but unable to create anything too integral.

Sunderland have been a threat out wide, Jack Clarke getting in down the left, but his cut back was hooked clear by ex-Black Cats defender John Egan.

Riley McGree has a chance for Middlesbrough, created by the break by Duncan Watmore.

It's blocked though as Stoke rally at the back.

Manchester City loanee James McAtee is making his debut for Sheffield United tonight. 'The Salford Silva' is his nickname.

Big raps then.

Sunderland have had the first chance, Lynden Gooch with a speculator from distance which was easily saved by Wes Foderingham.

I can't think of Wes Foderingham without thinking of Paolo Di Canio and the way he used to say his name at Swindon. Look it up somewhere.

We're also now under way in the 20:00 BST kick-offs

Reading-Blackburn, Sheffield United-Sunderland and West Brom-Cardiff.

I'm annoyed I used my "tentative start" line so early, because it's still a tentative start almost 15 minutes in.

Better dig out the thesaurus. Cautious start, anyone?