Summary

  • 10 Championship games including six at 15:00 BST

  • QPR host winless Portsmouth - both sides in drop zone

  • Burnley would go top of table with win at Sheff Wed

  • Lunchtime results: Cardiff 5-0 Plymouth, Luton 3-0 Watford, Oxford Utd 1-1 West Brom, Preston 1-0 Coventry

  • Get involved #bbcefl

  1. 'Swansea hard to beat'published at 14:52 British Summer Time

    Blackburn v Swansea (15:00 BST)

    Giulia Bould
    Final Score

    Despite two defeats on the bounce, Blackburn have been solid at home this season with four wins out of four here at sunny Ewood Park.

    They are going for a fifth today and the last time they managed that was the 1994-95 season when they won the Premier League.

    Meanwhile Swansea maybe mid-table but they are hard to beat. They have conceded just six goals in the league and they did win here last season…

  2. Blackburn seek home comfortspublished at 14:50 British Summer Time

    Blackburn v Swansea (15:00 BST)

    Blackburn's Todd Cantwell warms upImage source, Rex Features

    The international break must have dragged more for John Eustace and Blackburn than maybe any other side in the division.

    They entered October unbeaten in the league, only to lose their last two games, comprehensively at Coventry and then in dramatic fashion at Plymouth last time out.

    The good news for Rovers today is they do return to Ewood Park, where they have won all four games, to host Swansea.

    Swansea have other ideas, however, they completed the double over Rovers last season, have shored up their defence significantly since the turn of the year and are seeking to make it back-to-back wins at Ewood Park for the first time ever.

    Luke Williams' side have lost three of their past four on the road but know a win could take them above eighth-placed Rovers in the table.

  3. 'Football feels insignificant'published at 14:47 British Summer Time

    Middlesbrough v Bristol City (15:00 BST)

    Ben Croucher
    BBC Final Score

    Credit to Middlesbrough and boss Michael Carrick for their simple, classy touch in the programme notes.

    Rather than the usual reflection on recent performances, and calls to action for fans, Carrick has used his words to exclusively pay his respects to Bristol City manager Liam Manning and his family after the tragic loss of their newborn son Theo.

    Black armbands will be worn and a moment of applause will be held before kick off for all to pay their respects.

    Football feels so insignificant at times like this, yet its ability to put rivalries aside and unite as a community can hopefully provide small comfort at this desperately sad time.

    Michael Carrick in programmeImage source, Ben Croucher
  4. Game takes a back seat at the Riversidepublished at 14:45 British Summer Time

    Middlesbrough v Bristol City (15:00 BST)

    Riverside StadiumImage source, Rex Features

    The Riverside is the venue for what is sure to be an emotional afternoon for everyone associated with Bristol City.

    Robins boss Liam Manning is taking a leave of absence after the passing of his baby son Theo, with assistant Chris Hogg taking charge this afternoon.

    Hogg admitted the tragedy had 'affected everyone' but hopes City's players can control their emotions during the 90 minutes.

    A minute's applause is planned before kick-off while both sets of players will wear black armbands.

    City have drawn their past three games and have an excellent record on Teeside, winning six of their past nine visits and going unbeaten in the last five.

    Boro boss Michael Carrick has seen his side pick up eight points from their four home league games, though they did allow Watford to come from behind to claim the points at Vicarage Road in their most recent outing.

  5. Will the Lions roar or will it be a Rams raid?published at 14:43 British Summer Time

    Millwall v Derby County (15:00 BST)

    A kneeling Millwall manager Neil HarrisImage source, Rex Features

    So, this should be fun with two sides desperate to turn around parts of their form.

    Millwall have just the one win from their last fives games in the Championship and have failed to score in their past two outings.

    Not that you'll find Millwall boss Neil Harris taking their league position at face value as he believes the statistics point towards something a lot better.

    "We're in the top three for big chances created and we're sixth from bottom in big chances [conceded] and expected goals conceded," Harris told BBC Radio London.

    "Ultimately, we should be in the top four in the division - but we're not."

    That's all very well Neil, but what is it they say about lies and statistics?

    But, the Londoners do have the division's second top scorer in Duncan Watmore and without him things could be a lot worse.

    To bring more joy to this fixture Derby are the only Championship side without an away point so far and their home victory over QPR on 5 October snapped a three match losing streak.

    They do have nine different goalscorers in the league suggesting there's no over-reliance on one forward and they do create plenty of chances having only failed to score in two of their Championship matches.

    These are two sides who need a break.

  6. Two teams looking to turn woe into a winpublished at 14:39 British Summer Time

    QPR v Portsmouth (15:00 BST)

    A picture of the Stan Bowles stand at QPR's Loftus Road stadiumImage source, Getty Images

    QPR - winless at home v Portsmouth, well just winless.

    This already feels like a pivotal game.

    The Londoners have lost their last three games and you have to go back to 30 August for their last victory - 2-1 at Luton.

    The last time QPR lost more than three in a row was a six game spell under Gareth Ainsworth which cost the manager his job.

    This fixture might bring back happy memories for Rangers fans though as the last meeting was a 2-0 victory in 2011 with the season ending in promotion to the Premier League under Neil Warnock.

    Now, Portsmouth, we'll try to be gentle and Pompey fans probably know this so maybe look away for a bit...

    The Fratton Park side are the only Championship team without a win so far, joining Burton and Cambridge United as the EFL outfits still waiting to taste three points.

    Only in two previous seasons have Portsmouth waited longer for a win at the start of a campaign, they haven't won at Loftus Road since 1961 and John Mousinho's side have the worst defensive record in the Championship.

    Right, after the tale of woe for both these teams it's probably time to just concentrate on the game.

  7. Rohl celebrates one year in chargepublished at 14:37 British Summer Time

    Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley (15:00 BST)

    Naz Premji
    Final Score

    Danny Rohl has just celebrated one year in charge at Wednesday and it has been a rollercoaster 12 months.

    The Owls do seem to be on the up and Rohl has already said plans for future success are already being formulated and he plans on staying here for a very long time.

    Scott Parker's side can go top with a victory at Hillsborough this afternoon. The Burnley boss though has warned his side they face a tough test against a side who picked up wins against West Brom and Coventry City before the break.

  8. Clarets aiming to go toppublished at 14:35 British Summer Time

    Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley (15:00 BST)

    Scott ParkerImage source, Rex Features

    Another promotion push for Parker? It certainly looks that way for Scott at Burnley right now.

    With Leeds beating Sheffield United last night, West Brom drawing at Oxford United in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off and Sunderland not in action until tomorrow, Burnley could return to Turf Moor this evening on top of the Championship pile - but only a win will do at Hillsborough.

    The Owls know how to rise to a challenge when those at the top are in town though, having ended West Brom's unbeaten start to the season in Yorkshire a month ago.

    Burnley may have the best defence in the Championship - having shipped just four goals so far this term - but they will have to be on guard to the very end this afternoon. Wednesday have hit late winners in their past two victories, that defeat of the Baggies we mentioned above, and last time out at Coventry.

    Despite the difference in league position, both these sides are playing with confidence - with just one defeat in their last 10 league games combined.

    Wednesday sit four points clear of danger below, and five off the play-offs above. A win today versus their Lancashire counterparts could see the Yorkshire side's outlook look a little rosier...

  9. Postpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time

    Let's take a look at those 15:00 BST games then shall we?

    Sheffield Wednesday flagImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'A really naive performance'published at 14:31 British Summer Time

    FT Luton 3-0 Watford

    Derek Payne
    Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio

    Luton's gameplan has won.

    Watford played into their hands by trying to play out from the back from the start.

    They lost too many individual battles, the manager got his message across to his players but they obviously didn't listen, a really naive performance from Watford.

    The fans are not happy, they're trying to clap them but understandably, they're not impressed with the performance.

  11. As it standspublished at 14:30 British Summer Time

    FT: Oxford Utd 1-1 West Brom

    West Brom miss the chance to go top of an extremely tight Championship table.

    Burnley could take that honour with a win at Sheffield Wednesday in one of our six 15:00 BST games.

    Championship table
  12. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time

    Luton 3-0 Watford

    Carlton Morris celebratesImage source, Rex Features

    There was a huge storm over Kenilworth Road on the morning of this derby game, but the clouds parted and the sun came out... just as they have done for under-fire Hatters boss Rob Edwards this afternoon.

    Jordan Clark's early opener and Carlton Morris' free header at the far post secured a deserved win, though in truth Watford were second best for far too long in the match and some of their defending left a lot to be desired.

    Jacob Brown's late third capped a convincing display and sent the coachloads of Watford fans back down the M1 in sombre mood.

    Watford haven't won away since the opening day of the season. Luton have now taken seven points from nine at Kenilworth Road.

    Things are looking up for Town and Edwards.

  13. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time

    Oxford 1-1 West Brom

    Dane Scarlett is congratulated by his team mates after equalising for OxfordImage source, Rex Features

    Oxford maintain their unbeaten home record....just.

    West Brom were heading to the top of the Championship until the 92nd minute.

    Karlan Grant fired the Baggies into a half-time lead with a wonderful finish from 25 yards and they looked likely to take the three points.

    Carlos Corberan's side managed the game superbly with Alex Palmer having just one save to make - denying Mark Harris from a tight angle in the early stages.

    That should have been it but Will Vaulks tossed in a long throw which Elliott Moore flicked on for Dane Scarlett to convert in injury time.

    Tottenham loanee Scarlett was on target for England's Under 21s in the week but Oxford will be more thankful for the forward's first goal in yellow.

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time

    Oxford 1-1 West Brom

    Malcolm Ebiowei is carded for Oxford.

  15. 'It's a great finish'published at 14:24 British Summer Time

    Luton 3-0 Watford

    Leon Barnett
    Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

    Once again it's great work from Jacob Brown.

    He's one on one with Ogbonna and he has to defend better than this, he was in the Premier League with West Ham.

    It's a great finish, i'm really happy for him, game over.

  16. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time

    Cardiff 5-0 Plymouth

    Cardiff celebrate winImage source, Getty Images

    What a day for the Bluebirds.

    Plymouth spurned an early chance through Michael Obafemi but after that it was one way traffic with Alex Robertson, Rubin Colwill, Anwar Al Ghazi, Callum Robinson and Chris Willock scoring goals which more than doubled City's tally for the season.

    Ibrahim Cissoko got himself sent off for retaliation shortly before the break, with his Argyle side already 2-0 down, meaning this outcome was always likely.

    Colwill stole the show with a fine goal and two assists and Cardiff are looking up, all of a sudden. The same can't be said of Plymouth, however.

  17. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time

    Preston 1-0 Coventry

    Make that three wins from eight and three clean sheets in a row for Paul Heckingbottom and Preston.

    A tight game ends in Lancashire ends with a home win, thanks to Emil Riis' second half header.

    Both sides wasted good opportunities either side of the break before Riis reacted quickest from Robbie Brady's cross to nod home the winner.

    Coventry had a Haji Wright effort disallowed soon after, and had to watch home keeper Freddie Woodman make a huge late stop to keep all three points at Deepdale.

    Preston move up to 14th and four points clear of safety, while Coventry remain in trouble a point and a position above the drop zone.

    The Sky Blues have still never won at Deepdale in the league.

  18. goal

    GOAL Luton 3-0 Watfordpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time

    Jacob Brown (90+1 min)

    Luton put the gloss on it...

    A nice moment for Jacob Brown after a long spell on the sidelines through injury, he latches onto a long clearance from Thomas Kaminski and turns inside his defender before firing into the bottom corner of Daniel Bachmann's goal for his first goal of 2024.

    Hatters fans in dreamland.

  19. goal

    GOAL Oxford 1-1 West Brompublished at 14:23 British Summer Time

    Dane Scarlett (90+2 mins)

    A huge long throw is hurled into the West Brom box by Will Vaulks which Elliott Moore flicks on and there is Dane Scarlett to convert.

  20. GREAT SAVE!published at 14:21 British Summer Time

    Preston 1-0 Coventry

    Freddie Woodman that is OUTSTANDING!

    A 100th league appearance for Preston will likely now end in a clean sheet thanks to a stunning save at full stretch from Bobby Thomas' header.

    Coventry will wonder what more they need to do to get a goal this afternoon.