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Fresh from meeting another of his old clubs Southampton, Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones returns to Stoke City to make it a double feature this week.

Although the weekend did not go the way Jones would have wanted after his Addicks side were thrashed 5-1 by a resurgent Saints side.

The 52-year-old did only spend four mere months at St Mary's whereas he was with the Potters for a longer spell - just under 11 months! But his six wins from 38 games means it was not fondly remembered, by either party.

Safe to say Jones is unlikely to receive a great, warm reception on a cold, not-so-rainy Tuesday night in Stoke and while the Potters would seem a tougher challenge than the Saints given their table position, form and personnel, history would say this could be a much tighter, feistier contest.

Neither team have managed to drag any points out of their past two league matches, with Stoke falling off the pace in terms of the automatic promotion race and surprise play-off contenders Charlton worse off still, dropping into the bottom half of the table.

Will Jones bring yet more disappointment to the bet365 long after exiting the managerial seat?

Watford welcome a Preston side who had a four-game unbeaten run ended with a Lancashire derby defeat by Blackburn on Friday.

The Lilywhites are fifth in the Championship table but, testament to just how tight things are in the second tier this season, only six points separate third and 17th place.

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom doesn't think it's a massive surprise the league is so tight this season.

If his side win tonight they could go third. Meanwhile Watford could surge from 11th and into the play-off places with victory.

"The amount of teams that will fancy their chances will be more than ever this season," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"So many people thought X, Y, Z was going to happen and it just shows a big naivety, one about football, and about this league in particular.

"It's a good league for that reason and I think it's more competitive than ever."

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Ipswich make the trip to east Yorkshire to face Hull off the back of winning their past two away Championship fixtures.

The last time they won three on the trot on their travels in the league was in March 2024 on their way to promotion to the Premier League.

That said, Hull are unbeaten in their past six league games on home ground - their longest such run since a nine-game streak between April and September 2023.

Joe Gelhardt has found the net for Hull in each of his past three games at home - could he make that four this evening?

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Can you have relegation six-pointers at this stage of the season? Whether or not that's up for debate, this sure does feel like one.

Norwich City are in a serious rut and new boss Philippe Clement was given a brutal welcome to the Championship in his first game in charge as his side were thumped 4-1 at Birmingham City on Saturday.

That made it 12 games without a win for the Canaries, who have lost nine of their past 10.

Tonight will be his first home game in charge and he will have to mastermind something Norwich haven't achieved all season yet - get a point at Carrow Road.

Norwich have lost all seven on home soil and welcome fellow relegation strugglers Oxford United, who are just one point above the drop zone and five points ahead of their opponents tonight.

The U's are without a win in four but did pick up a valuable point at home to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough at the weekend. Tonight is huge for both sides.

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We will also be monitoring events in League One tonight as the division could have a new team at the top of the table with Stevenage vying for the spot as they travel to a much-improved Peterborough United.

Posh have won each of their four games since Luke Williams (above) took charge, scoring eight goals in two league fixtures, whereas early season pacesetters Stevenage are winless in their last four league games.

In a battle of the Towns, Huddersfield travel to Luton knowing a win could lift them as high as second depending on goal difference.

They convincingly beat Mansfield at the weekend while their opponents tonight were thumped 5-0 by Barnsley.

A redemptive win for Jack Wilshere’s side would take them to a point outside of the play-off places.

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It's so tight at the top that 13th placed Charlton Athletic could make the top six by around 22:00 GMT - but it won't be easy.

Current play-off occupiers Hull City, Stoke City and Preston North End will be looking to hold their positions in the top six against the chasing pack of Ipswich Town, Charlton and Watford, respectively.

A victory for Stoke could also see them replace Middlesbrough inside the top two should they lose out to Coventry, who would also go clear by an impressive 10 points.

Derby County can aim for a play-off spot against Swansea City, while Leicester will look to rise against a resurgent Southampton.

At the bottom, Norwich will want to start closing the gap between them and 21st placed Oxford.

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• Hull City v Ipswich Town
• Middlesbrough v Coventry City
• Norwich City v Oxford United
• Stoke City v Charlton Athletic
• Swansea City v Derby County
• Watford v Preston North End
• Southampton v Leicester City (20:00 GMT)

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Started your Christmas countdown? It is officially one month before the big day arrives but we have already got some presents just for you.

Norwich City fans could be treated to their first home win of the season and, dare we say, a dash of hope under new boss Philippe Clement should they defeat Oxford United.

Swansea City fans get their very first glimpse of life under Vitor Matos as they host Derby County.

Southampton interim boss Tonda Eckert could make it four wins in four if they beat fellow relegated side Leicester City (and probably earn himself a nice early festive treat), while Coventry City could increase their lead at the top to double figures.

These might not come wrapped in a bow but we know you can't wait to see the stories unravel - build-up coming now.