Bolton launch a breakaway and get it quickly up to Joel Randall, who spins on it to retain possession before being clattered into by the retreating Cameron Humphreys.

The Rotherham midfielder goes into the book for that one.

Rotherham win a free-kick wide on the right and it comes into Sam Nombe from Alex MacDonald, but Nombe volleys well over first time from about 15 yards out.

Kieron Morris would love a goal today, on his return to the club where he made more than 170 appearances early in his career.

He has a 20-yard blast which cannons back off a Walsall defender while Kristian Dennis has two closer range efforts deflected, the second taking it narrowly over Tommy Simkin's crossbar.

After a flurry of chances in the opening stages, the game has just settled into a slightly more cagey affair.

Bolton are knocking the ball about well but Rotherham are direct and getting it forward quickly when they win it back.

Another Harry Williams long throw into the Rovers area causes a bit of panic but though Jamie Jellis takes the ball down smartly on his chest, his attempt at an acrobatic overhead volley from near the penalty spot is slightly of and drifts off target.

Andy Giddings
Sports Editor, BBC Sheffield

The idea of easing into the game hasn't happened here at the New York Stadium.

This is what you want to see from Rotherham - get into Bolton early. If they can take the lead there's fewer concerns than if we're chasing the game.

Bolton goalkeeper Nathan Baxter broke his nose in the last game of 2024 against Lincoln. He's sporting a baseball cap, such is the intensity of the bright sunshine beaming in towards him.

Worth noting that Wanderers don't have a goalkeeper on the bench today...

A second sight of goal for Liam Gordon as Rovers only half-clear a long throw, this time the ball drops to Gordon on his favoured left-peg but he can only loop a 25-yard half-volley off the turf and into the gloves of Luke McGee.

One way traffic, thus far...

Half of the ground at the New York Stadium is basking in sunshine despite the brisk temperature.

You could be fooled into thinking it was August if you didn't know otherwise.

Mallik Wilks flashes an effort wide for Rotherham. It was never really troubling the keeper.

Connor Barrett races down Walsall's right flank after a good interception by Liam Gordon on the opposite touchline.

He drives towards the area and with plenty of space, opts to have a pop, fizzing a powerful effort over the angle of post and bar.

Worth a dig...

Freezing weather but a white-hot start to this one! Joel Randall, on debut for Bolton, drills an effort towards goal from the edge of the area after it dropped to him from a corner.

George Johnston tries to steer it on target on the way through the crowd of bodies but it goes just wide.

We've had a change of ends for the teams before kick-off at the New York Stadium, where there's still a few patches of frost dotted about on the playing surface, which otherwise looks in good nick.

Rotherham get in almost immediately from the start with Sam Nombe driving into the box and curling one to the far corner but Nathan Baxter gets down well in the Bolton goal to parry it away.

Dazzling sunshine for this clash of the best home team against the worst away team, the highest scorers against the lowest scorers.

On paper this is a home banker, but will the curse of Mat Sadler's Manager of the Month and Nathan Lowe's Player of the Month awards come back to bite the runaway leaders?

Liam Gordon shows some good early intent for the hosts, bouncing a pass off Jamille Matt and then lashing a 20-yard half volley well past Luke McGee's post.

Michael Beardmore
BBC Sport at Poundland Bescot Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Not too many players become legends at two different clubs.

But I've just spied this man in the corporate seats behind me - and surely the above tag applies to him.

David Kelly - known as 'Ned' to most - scored 82 goals in 190 Walsall appearances in the 1980s to earn a top-flight move to West Ham.

Towards the end of his career, he spent three years with Tranmere and was part of the side that reached the League Cup final in 2000, scoring Rovers' goal in their loss to Leicester at Wembley.

Legend at both clubs, right, Walsall and Tranmere fans? Hit the thumbs.

Image source, Rex Features

We have live football, against all the odds... we're under way.

(Thanks to all the ground staff who made this possible!)

The teams are out at Rotherham and on the Costa del Walsall...

They say less is more... in terms of today's EFL programme, let's hope that's the case...

Having begun the fightback with the equaliser off the bench in the win at Notts County in Walsall’s last match on 1 January, Jamille Matt returns to captain the side.

Oisin McEntee and Taylor Allen also come in while Albert Adomah, Charlie Lakin and Evan Weir drop to the bench.

Nathan Lowe was pictured training at parent club Stoke this week but is in the Saddlers XI looking to add to his 14 league goals already this season.

Nigel Adkins makes one change from the Rovers XI which beat Carlisle a week ago with Kristian Dennis replacing leading scorer Omari Patrick, who drops to the bench.

It was Patrick who struck the early winner in the 1-0 win over Walsall in their last meeting back in August, one of his six League Two goals this term.

Steve Evans sticks with the same Rotherham line-up that earned a hard-fought point in the goalless draw at Huddersfield last weekend.

Meanwhile, Bolton boss Ian Evatt makes just the one change from their 2-1 win at Exeter.

Midfielder Joel Randall comes straight into the side after signing from Peterborough on Thursday.

He takes the place of Klaidi Lolos, who drops to the bench.

Swindon Town's League Two game against Crewe Alexandra is set to go ahead at 15:00 GMT following a pitch inspection just now.

"Referee Lee Swaby has reviewed the surface at the County Ground and has confirmed the pitch is playable," Swindon Town said on X.

We're still awaiting confirmation on whether AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham will be on at Plough Lane later.

"We are making every effort possible to get today’s game on," Wimbledon wrote on X.

"Our team has been working round the clock - including throughout the night moving growlights every hour - to give us the best chance of getting it on."