Black Cats on top as Rooney takes Plymouth to Leeds

Wayne Rooney says Plymouth Argyle need to be 'nastier' ahead of Saturday's trip to Leeds United

Stick the fancy dress back in the attic and throw that mouldy pumpkin away, the often pivotal month of November is here.

While the magic of the FA Cup will be intoxicating 48 EFL clubs over the coming days as they venture into first-round action, there is also a full programme of Championship matches to enjoy between Friday night and Sunday tea-time.

With August, September and now October in the rear-view mirror, things are beginning to take shape in the second tier - by the end of this month the season will be well over a third complete.

The first of a bumper six rounds of Championship fixtures is upon us this month - let's dig in...

Rob Edwards saw his Luton Town side allow a 2-0 lead to slip in a stoppage-time defeat at Coventry City last time out

Friday night lights

The Championship weekend kicks-off on Friday evening with a fascinating-looking match between lowly Luton Town and wobbly West Bromwich Albion.

The Hatters go into the game sat in the relegation zone, having won one of their past half-dozen games, while Albion have slipped from top spot to fifth after a run of six without a win.

Though Luton shone in their derby victory over Watford, they lost to Sunderland and Coventry in their last two - both games in which they might well have come out on top, though it is not Rob Edwards' fault - blame the players, says skipper Carlton Morris.

The Baggies are in need of a positive result for different reasons - they have scored only one goal in their past five games and have drawn their most recent four matches.

Regis Le Bris has guided Sunderland to their best-ever start and a five-point cushion at the top of the Championship

Blades and Clarets set sights on Black Cats

On Saturday afternoon leaders Sunderland will be seeking to maintain, as a minimum, their five-point cushion at the top as they head to Queens Park Rangers.

Regis Le Bris’ men are in form and have taken 13 points from a possible 15, though both their previous league defeats this season have come on the road.

By contrast the Rs are winless at home, taking three points from their six games in front of their own fans, though they did earn a creditable point from a stalemate at Burnley last time out.

Scott Parker's Clarets are second and now unbeaten in nine games, however five of those were drawn against some of the division's lesser lights.

They could be as low as fifth by the time they visit Millwall on Sunday, playing catch-up after Saturday’s games.

Sheffield United would go second with a win at Blackburn Rovers at 12:30 GMT on Saturday.

After an unbeaten start, Chris Wilder’s side have lost their past two on the road and have not scored away from Bramall Lane since 13 September.

Rovers' five-match winning streak at Ewood Park ended with a goalless draw against West Brom but they are a far different proposition at home than on their travels when they have taken three points from six matches and lost the past three.

Rovers will be without Hayden Carter until 2025 after the defender underwent surgery for a knee problem picked up against Albion last week.

Daniel Farke is aiming to take Leeds United to first place

Farke dreaming of a return to the top

Leeds United could overhaul the Blades if they better their result at 15:00 GMT on Saturday when they welcome former Manchester United favourite Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle to Elland Road.

Despite negotiating an injury crisis, the Whites are unbeaten in seven and have won three straight at home whereas Plymouth are the worst travellers in the Championship, losing five of their six games away from Home Park without scoring.

Their only away goal came in a 1-1 draw at QPR in August and Rooney says his players have to improve at the "nasty bits" of the game.

Stoke City welcome Derby County to the Bet365 Stadium at lunchtime, winless in four games but seeking to make it four unbeaten at home.

Paul Warne’s Rams have the division's second-worst return away from home, with two points from six games, five goals scored and 11 conceded.

Those points, however, have come in their past two away games and mean County are now four unbeaten in all, something Ebou Adams says is a useful building block for Derby.

Elsewhere, resurgent Cardiff City will be aiming for a fourth-straight home win, and a fifth clean sheet in six games under Omer Riza, who has still not been handed the manager's job permanently.

They welcome Norwich City, unbeaten in seven games but having drawn their past three, including a classic 3-3 draw at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday during which they were inspired by the EFL's leading scorer Borja Sainz.

Oxford United, unbeaten at home, host Swansea City, who have scored only twice in six games on the road, while Boro host Coventry City, with the Sky Blues trying to climb away from trouble.

Rock-bottom Portsmouth will try to win their second game of the season when they visit Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday host Watford, and Bristol City travel to Preston North End.

Click here to see all of November's Championship fixtures.