It doesn't get much closer, at least mathematically, than today's battle between Birmingham City and Hull City.

The two sit right next to each other on the table, equally on 12 points but with Blues trailing the Tigers ever so slightly by just one less goal on the goal difference.

The hosts have an advantage today though and that's the St Andrew's crowd that hasn't seen them lose in 29 league matches.

"It's a good record to have and shows we're a real force at home," Blue boss Chris Davies told BBC Radio WM.

"It's an amazing place to play - blue everywhere, the anthem, and the whole atmosphere, I love it.

"We need the fans and the reason we've got the record is because of them and the intimidation factor it gives us."

Can Hull overcome a hurdle so many others have failed at in recent times?

Image source, PA Media

It never rains it pours...

Amid the news that Sheffield Wednesday are set to be served a winding-up petition, the Owls will look to earn some positivity on the pitch.

As it stands, the struggling side still have a chance of escaping the bottom three and could go as high as 19th with a win.

The petition is just the latest in a long line of turmoil at the club though, and with many fans choosing to forgo away trips in order to punish owner Dejphon Chansiri, Charlton may spy an opportunity to rise out of the mid-table and get closer to the top six.

Image source, PA Media

Preston have had a cracking start to the season and head into the weekend in fourth place - two points and three places above Albion.

Paul Heckingbottom is getting a tune out of North End but knows the Championship is a beast like no other.

"Statistically it has been shown to be the tightest league in Europe," he said.

"There are reasons why it shouldn't be in terms of resources, finances, approaches compared to some clubs - but for some reason it is.

"It means you have got a chance in every single game, and every game you need to perform at your best, and every game is a tough game."

Preston do not like The Hawthorns, mind. They have lost 15 of their past 17 away league games against West Brom, with their only victories coming in September 1973 (2-0) and January 2022 (2-0).

Marc Webber
BBC Final Score commentator at Carrow Road

The gloom enveloping Carrow Road is evident in the grey sky above, but even more evident in the talk from the tea bars in the ground.

Pointless at home so far this season, a derby defeat two weeks ago, and an irate response to ground redevelopment plans – all things that are pushing the atmosphere at Norwich from unhappiness towards toxicity.

Defeat by Bristol City today would probably move that dial more.

However, Liam Manning is facing his old side as they suffer a dip in form, with no wins in their last four.

Both need a win today, but for wholly different reasons.

Image source, Rex Features

Liam Manning might be scanning the stands for friends today.

Defeat by East Anglian rivals Ipswich last time out and a record four successive home losses to start a league season have got the Norfolk natives restless, a fact he is well aware of.

"If we win games the relationship with the fans is recoverable. I had it early on at Bristol. Rightly the fans are on us, we have to accept it, but the only way to change it is by delivering, and that's what I'm focusing on," he told BBC Radio Norfolk after the loss at Portman Road,

Across the way from him today will be the supporters of Bristol City, the club he left in the summer after taking them to the play-offs - see what I mean about searching for friends?

The Robins have enjoyed a solid start under Manning's replacement Gerhard Struber, but four games without a win have put a spanner in the works although he can rest easy for now while his opposite number tries to keep the wolves at bay.

"At Bristol City last year, after nine games we were only three points better off, the energy was poor, and we finished in the play-offs. I know how quickly it can turn," said the Norwich boss.

Quickly might be the key word...

Image source, Getty Images

There isn't a lot left to write about Wrexham that hasn't already been said, in fact scrap that, because there isn't anything left to be written about Wrexham - I mean, they've got their own TV series so what more could there be to say?

So given that, let's just stick to they've only lost one of their past seven league games including three successive draws from their outings preceding the international break - they might just be getting the hang of the Championship.

Stoke are also coming into this one on the back of three draws with just one win from five which has slowed their progress, albeit they are 12 places and five points better off than this time last season.

This looks like it could be tight but we should still have plenty to say, unless Wrexham's production team get there first...

Ben Mundy
BBC Final Score reporter at CBS Arena

What was your pre-match meal? Mine was a steak pie, washed down with a lukewarm coffee. Although, I’m surprised they’re not serving burritos, because Coventry is now the home to the world’s burrito master.

Mia McCann fought off competition from France and Dubai this week to come out on top.

And it could be a bit tasty here – as Frank Lampard’s side try to regain top spot in the Championship by making it 10 games without defeat. Anything other than that would be... spicy!

Image source, Ben Mundy

When it comes to form, Coventry and Blackburn couldn't be much further apart.

While Rovers have struggled under boss Valerien Ismael (only two sides have lost more Championship league matches since he took over in March), Coventry and Frank Lampard seem like a match for the ages.

The former England international took the Sky Blues into the play-offs last season after a lacklustre start saw former boss Mark Robins sacked and this year, they continue to rise.

They have scored 12 more goals than any other Championship team, an attacking prowess that put them at the apex of the table (before Boro knocked them off last night) and with firm eyes on the Premier League.

"We all respect him [Lampard] as a player and as a person. I have a great relationship with him and it's brought the best out of me and a lot of players," Sky Blues midfielder Jack Rudoni told BBC Radio 4.

"Everything is coming together really nicely. It's an amazing city for football. I love playing for this club. We want to create our own history and getting back to the Premier League is the main aim for us."

Some big results in our lunchtime games.

Time for a look at what's coming up at 15:00 BST, starting with the division's form side...

Image source, Getty Images

First-half goals from Femi Azeez and Mihailo Ivanovic maintain Millwall's unbeaten away start to the season.

Substitute Rumarn Burrell's late strike gave QPR hope but they'll rue not making more of their total domination in the first period and their six-match unbeaten run is over.

Millwall's Alfie Doughty fails to retreat 10-yards quickly enough at a free kick and is carded.

Ah, big chance for QPR.

There's head tennis in the Millwall area and Rumarn Burrell nods over the bar from barely two yards - was that the opportunity to salvage a point?

Peter Rhoades-Brown
Former Oxford and Chelsea winger on BBC Radio Oxford

It's not just the goal, it's the chances we created, the teamwork and the togetherness.

I'm loving what I've seen today, it was a great finish from Mills for the goal. He's enjoyed himself today, he received the ball in the right areas.

They thoroughly deserved the win today.

That's just one win in 10 in the league now for Derby...

A tale of frustration and anguish as Southampton share the points at St Mary's. It's a very decent draw for Swansea.

Jay Fulton trips up Saints' Shea Charles and gets his name in the bad books.

Time is swiftly running out.

A big win for Oxford, just their second of the season and a first at home! Stanley Mills' clinical goal on the break was the difference.

Image source, PA

Kader Dembele strikes wildly at goal from distance and it's closer to the corner flag than the Millwall goal.

Heads in hands from home fans who urge Max Crocombe to get on with the goal kick.

We are into an additional eight minutes.

Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe is fine.

Funny that...

Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe is down.

I'm gonna stick my neck on the line and say there's not a lot wrong with him.

Boos from the home crowd.

#gamesmanship.