Ben Croucher
Final Score

Over 7,000 Sunderland fans have made the journey to a foggy Blackburn.

The biggest cheer off the team bus was reserved for Jobe Bellingham, little wonder with two goals and two assists in his last four games.

Despite three wins and a draw in that period, Regis Le Bris’ side have conceded first in each game. He’s called on his side to start stronger.

‘Standing in the way of control’ by Gossip greets them ahead of their entrance. Can Blackburn end their wretched Boxing Day run and ensure the gap to the top four doesn’t become insurmountable before Auld Lang Syne is the tune of choice?

Image source, PA Media

Blackburn and Sunderland are two sides looking to end what will feel like very long absences from the Premier League in 2025.

It's 13 seasons since Blackburn Rovers last graced the top flight, while it's been eight since Sunderland were there.

Both sides have dropped as far as League One in recent years, but right now they are right among the contenders for promotion back to Premier League.

John Eustace had taken Rovers on a six-game winning run before last Saturday's defeat by Millwall but they have hung on to fifth, while fourth-placed Sunderland are unbeaten in their past four with three wins and have the top two well within range.

Joshua Adu-Donkor
Final Score

A huge game at the bottom of the Championship at the Kassam. Both teams are lodged in the bottom three with 18 points.

It's the first game in charge for new Oxford manager Gary Rowett. He saw first-hand the task ahead of him being in the stands for Oxford's 4-0 loss to Leeds last Saturday.

Cardiff are winless in eight league games and still haven't won away this season in the Championship.

Three points would be a Christmas treat to one of these two sets of supporters as the festive football continues.

Image source, Rex Features

We may only be approaching the midway point of the Championship marathon, but this has the feel of an early six-pointer in the battle to avoid relegation.

Both teams are locked together in the bottom three on 18 points after 21 games, but know that victory today could move them as high as 20th in the tightly-packed lower reaches.

Oxford fans will be dreaming of a new manager bounce as Gary Rowett takes charge for the first time after watching from the stands as his charges were thumped 4-0 at Leeds on Saturday.

It was a sixth defeat in a seven-match winless run for the U's. Boy, do they need that bounce.

Fortunately for them, they face a Cardiff team also bang out of form.

They're winless in eight and without a victory on the road all season, although they have drawn five of their past six away matches.

Omer Riza saw his side slump to a fifth defeat in eight on Saturday, beaten 2-0 by leaders Sheffield United.

The Bluebirds boss will be eagerly eyeing a first win since 2 November and release the pressure valve on his own position a little.

History fans may be interested to know this is the first league meeting between the sides since January 2000 - a 1-1 draw at Ninian Park.

Image source, PA Media

Vini Souza and Rhian Brewster are recalled by Chris Wilder in place of Tom Davies and Jes Rak-Sakyi in the only Sheffield United changes from Saturday’s 2-0 win at Cardiff.

Burnley boss Scott Parker keeps it simple for this bumper fixture and names the same XI which beat Watford 2-1 on the same afternoon.

Naz Premji
Final Score

As Boxing Day blockbusters go, this game is as big as any game in any league today. Sheffield United, top and 11 games unbeaten, take on Burnley who are third and nine games unbeaten.

Scott Parker's side are looking to close the gap on the leaders but it won't be easy as Sheffield United don't concede here.

In fact since Michael Cooper arrived from Plymouth, the new Blades keeper is yet to pick the ball out of his own net here at Bramall Lane.

The US-led takeover has gone through as well so there is lots of optimism that Chris Wilder will be able to add to his already impressive squad when the January window opens.

Image source, Rex Features

Game of the day in the entire EFL? Won’t find many arguing…

First against third, just one loss between them in 30 (THIRTY) matches, the best home record v the best away, in terms of points per game at least, and the two meanest defences in all the Championship...

The smart money is on at least one, if not both of these sides returning to the Premier League next May, but it’s the Blades who currently have a four point cushion over the Clarets, who are in the play-off places.

Chris Wilder’s side have claimed 28 points from 10 games at Bramall Lane, conceding only twice, both on one sunny August afternoon against QPR, of all teams. They have won nine at home without keeper Michael Cooper (pictured with Wilder) conceding since then.

They are, however, on the worst run against Burnley in the club’s history, losing three straight, conceding 11 in the process, most recently a 4-1 thumping at home in April.

Scott Parker is unbeaten against the Blades in four games as a manager and his side have conceded only five goals in their 11 games away from Turf Moor, picking up 21 points.

The Clarets have suffered defeat just once in their past 19 games but have however lost six of their past eight games on Boxing Day, including the last three in succession.

Something has to give at Bramall Lane this afternoon!

Wayne Rooney is light on attacking options because of injury.

While the Plymouth boss has the hugely experienced Andre Gray to rely on, he's had to call on 16-year-old Tegan Finn.

The Pilgrims youngster makes his first start for the club, having previously featured just once off the bench.

Frank Lampard shakes up his side after their defeat at Portsmouth.

He makes four changes, with a goalkeeper swap among them as Oliver Dovin replaces Bradley Collins.

Image source, Rex Features

We are spoiled for compelling storylines in the Championship today!

There are a number of post-Christmas crackers involving high-flying rivals, but it's at the CBS Arena that we have a few headline names coming face to face.

Former England team-mates Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney will pit their wits against one another.

Lampard is on a few weeks into the job at Coventry, but a solid start to his tenure hit some serious turbulence just before Christmas as his side was thrashed 4-1 by lowly Portsmouth.

They now host Rooney's Plymouth side who prop up the Championship, having claimed just four wins from 21 games this term.

"I have known Wayne well for many years now, have full respect for him, and I look forward to seeing him," Lampard said this week.

"It was an absolute pleasure to play with him for England - and to play against him. He was a Premier League and England great, and his numbers and performances should never be understated. The level of player he was, was incredible."

Image source, Rex Features

The news might have passed you by in the throes of last-minute wrapping just before midnight on Christmas Eve, but West Brom are no longer managed by Carlos Corberan.

Coaches Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill will take caretaker charge of the Baggies as they head to Pride Park this evening while the club search for a new coach.

The 41-year-old has returned to Spain to take on a relegation scrap in La Liga after struggling Valencia paid a release cause to free Corberan from his Hawthorns contract, just over two years since the former Huddersfield boss took charge of Albion.

The decision was 'the hardest of my life,' according to Corberan.

Everything you need to know about the move is here.

And of course we'll have full live coverage of the Rams against the Baggies from 17:30 GMT.

Would you take a look at this? The foot of the table is packed as tightly as a Christmas stocking before the carnage ensues... but who will be left looking up at the rest come teatime?

The marvellous magic of the fixture computer has thrown up some belated crackers for us today with Plymouth heading to Coventry, Oxford United and Cardiff locking horns at the Kassam and Hull City heading to Preston.

With Leeds to come in the 20:00 GMT kick-off, Stoke fans might be in for a rather nervy Boxing Day afternoon...

There isn't a trophy for sitting top of the lot at Christmas, but that's only an argument every team below Sheffield United will make right now.

The Blades are leading the way after 22 games, but with a few promotion rivals meeting today that picture might change in the course of the coming hours...

Image source, Getty Images

We have an hour of build-up up until 10 of the day's Championship games kick off.

Stick with us as we pick though each of them and bring you team news.

But if you really want to tuck into a smorgasbord of the best bits, then check out Glenn Speller's preview of the Boxing Day bonanza from right across the EFL by clicking here.

The best part of the next eight hours is going to be jam packed with Championship action!

Before we get stuck into unpacking all there is to come, let's just have a glace at the menu...

All fixtures will get going at 15:00 GMT unless stated.

• Blackburn v Sunderland
• Bristol City v Luton
• Coventry v Plymouth
• Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday
• Norwich v Millwall
• Oxford v Cardiff
• Preston v Hull
• Sheffield United v Burnley
• Swansea v QPR
• Watford v Portsmouth
• Derby v West Brom (17:30 GMT)
• Stoke v Leeds (20:00 GMT)

Image source, Rex Features

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the land football's abound!

Players and fans are all stirring, while chants ring out proud!

There's just an hour til kick-off, no doubt things will get loud.