Millenic Alli has the first sight of goal for Luton and gets away a shot from the angle but Kristi Montgomery is across to make the block for Blackburn.

The niceties are over. There are some seriously big matches ahead of us.

What do we have in store?

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City have been the archetypal Championship side in the last decade.

Marooned in the second tier since 2015, their seasons have ended between eighth and 19th, and usually with little to play for by this stage.

Not this year, the Robins are up to fifth after Haydon Roberts' injury-time winner over West Brom on Tuesday.

Few people would have had Liam Manning's side down to be contenders, but they have good form, momentum and a three-point cushion.

With Sunderland and Leeds still to play, the run-in is tough so a win in west London would be marvellous.

QPR eased their relegation worries by winning at Oxford in midweek, moving seven points clear of the drop.

But Marti Cifuentes won't want to let up, knowing that one more victory would surely guarantee survival.

Image source, Rex Features

Luton Town are unbeaten in their past five games (W2 D3) - their longest run without defeat this season - and are just two points from safety.

The Hatters have been in the bottom three since a goalless draw against Preston in Matt Bloomfield's first game in charge almost three months ago.

But they could potentially move out of the relegation places if they beat Blackburn and both Cardiff and Derby lose.

Rovers are on a poor eight-game winless run (D2 L6) which has seen them drift nine points behind the play-off spots, while Valerien Ismael is still awaiting his first win as boss.

Image source, Getty Images

It's safe to say both Cardiff and Stoke are fully embroiled in the relegation scrap as we reach the finishing line.

The Bluebirds are in the drop zone but only behind Derby in 21st on goal difference, while the Potters are just two points ahead in 20th.

With that in mind, I'm sure you'll forgive the six-pointer cliche being rolled out for this... it very much fits that bill.

Victory for Cardiff, who have won just one of their previous seven games (D3 L3) would see them leapfrog Stoke, who have won two from nine (D3 L4).

This is a vital encounter at the bottom of the Championship in the Welsh capital.

Image source, Getty Images

Two contrasting sides and clubs but one shared objective: to make those Championship play-offs.

Millwall's shock win at Sheffield United in midweek, following on from beating Portsmouth, has given them belief that they could gatecrash the top six, having to bridge a five-point gap in their last five games.

One of the teams they must leapfrog is Middlesbrough, who start the today three points clear of the Lions.

Boro slipped two places to seventh after their defeat to Leeds and they begin two points outside the play-offs.

For both teams, a win is desirable, a draw is OK, a defeat does not bear thinking about.

Michael Carrick's side will have to face a bear-pit atmosphere at The Den, a perfect test if they have ambitions of being a Premier League side come 24 May.

Image source, PA Media

Portsmouth welcome Derby for a crucial clash in the battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Pompey were 10 points clear of the drop zone after a 1-0 win over Leeds United a month ago, but a run of four defeats in their past five games has seen the gap cut to just three points.

The Rams are three points behind in 21st and would move above Portsmouth on goal difference with victory today.

Fratton Park has been a saving grace for John Mousinho's side up until now with 10 of their 12 wins coming on home soil and Portsmouth will almost certainly be looking to lean into the home advantage.

Derby have struggled for results on the road, winning just twice away from Pride Park all season (D5 L13), though John Eustace's side did come out on top at Plymouth last month.

Image source, Rex Features

West Brom welcome Watford in a big game in terms of the Championship play-off picture this afternoon.

Albion have lost their last three matches on the bounce and will be without Jason Molumby who was sent off late on in the 2-1 stoppage-time defeat at Bristol City on Tuesday.

They sit eighth and following the midweek action are now five points outside the top six with just five games to go.

The Hornets, on the other hand, sit just one point below the Baggies ahead of today's fixture and a win today would give Tom Cleverley's men a fighting chance of slipping into the play-offs although they will have to overcome an overall poor away showing this season which has seen them lose nine times on the road this season already.

In recent years, Watford have won just one of their past 12 visits to the Hawthorns - a 1-0 victory in the Premier League back in April 2016 in which Saido Berahino had two second-half penalties saved by Hornets goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Image source, Rex Features

Oxford's need for the points feels greater than their hosts today.

United sit just three points above the Championship relegation zone and having won away in the league just once all season, you could forgive U's fans for getting to the end of their fingernails with just five matches left to play.

They take on Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon whose home form has recently fallen off a cliff - being beaten in each of their last four league matches at Hillsborough. The Owls have not lost five in a row in the league since 2009.

Danny Rohl's men managed to throw away a two goal lead in the 2-2 draw at Blackburn on Tuesday, meaning the Owls have picked up just two wins from nine matches as slim chances of making it into the play-off picture at the end of the season has faded away.

Interestingly, Oxford are unbeaten in their past four trips to Hillsborough (W2 D2) since a heavy 6-1 defeat back in 1986 and a result today could prove crucial in their survival bid by the first weekend of May.

Andy Sixsmith
Final Score

Image source, Andy Sixsmith

Glorious day on Wearside for the Swansea fans making the 12 hour round trip!

They’re in good spirits and why not - Alan Sheehan has effectively got them safe.

The Black Cats have all eyes on the upcoming play-offs and a possible date with Wembley in May - one fan telling me, “If Newcastle can win there, why can’t we?!” Can’t argue with the logic.

Image source, Rex Featu

So, here's the thing. Sunderland are guaranteed a play-off spot and Swansea are all but certain to be playing Championship football next season.

On the face of it, this match probably has the least riding on it of all the games this afternoon, but Black Cats head coach Regis Le Bris is wary.

The Frenchman said in his press conference that good form is not a "switch on" and so Sunderland cannot limp into the play-offs.

As for the visitors from south Wales, they have been in good form since the international break with a fine draw at Leeds and successive home wins over Derby and Plymouth.

Interim boss Alan Sheehan is doing an excellent job holding the fort and the Swans don't look like they have an eye on their summer holidays just yet.

Following those hugely important wins for Leeds and Plymouth, here's a look at the games we've got coming up next:

• Cardiff v Stoke
• Luton v Blackburn
• Millwall v Middlesbrough
• Portsmouth v Derby
• QPR v Bristol City
• Sheffield Wednesday v Oxford
• Sunderland v Swansea
• West Bromwich Albion v Watford

Image source, Getty Images

Well, well, well!

Who saw that comeback from bottom side Plymouth coming?

Huge drama at both ends of the table in our two lunchtime games. Now we have eight more matches to build up to with pressing matters in the play-off race and the relegation battle.

Pilgrims fans will certainly have renewed interest in events at Luton and Cardiff, especially!

There's also a huge game at the bottom between Portsmouth and Derby.

Let's get cracking...

Aidy White
Former Leeds United full-back on BBC Radio Leeds

We'll celebrate everything we can get. The points between us and Sheffield Untied is a decent gap but it's not over yet.

It's important we get this done as quick as we can, if we keep picking up the points we'll see ourselves over the line.

We've certainly not wobbled as much as Sheffield United, the lads have managed to ride the pressure really well.

The Leeds players and their fans know how important this lunchtime is in the context of the race to go up.

They soak in the applause and celebrations from the home support as Daniel Farke orchestrates the Don Revie stand.

Plymouth are not cooked!

What a comeback that was. Incredible scenes at Home Park.

Leeds are back on top of the Championship.

And Sheffield United's defeat at Plymouth means they may well have to settle for the play-offs...

Danny Hall
Sheffield Star journalist on BBC Radio Sheffield

It's difficult to find the words. Promotion hopes seem to be a long way off now.

We've not seen anything in these last three games to really inspire us.

They've been simple goals which we haven't been able to deal with, it's so frustrating.

Image source, Getty Images

That is a HUGE win for Leeds and they are going top of the Championship!

But perhaps more importantly, that's a five-point lead over Sheffield United in third in the race for automatic promotion.

Jubilant scenes at Elland Road as a game decided inside a blistering opening 13 minutes comes to a conclusion.

Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle scored either side of Kaine Kesler-Hayden's leveller to secure a much-deserved victory in a dominant display and Daniel Farke's side have taken a big step towards the Premier League this lunchtime.

Image source, PA Media

What a massive result at both ends of the Championship table!

Muhamed Tijani's 88th minute winner seals all three points for Argyle and the hosts earn a stunning turnaround in front of their own fans.

Blades boss Chris Wilder has gathered his set of players on the pitch at the full-time whistle to give them a post-match dressing down - the Blades are now five points outside the top two with just four left to play.

Argyle, who are still bottom but now level on points with Luton, will believe they can get themselves out of trouble. It feels like it will go down to the final day at the bottom of the second-tier.

This division keeps on giving - doesn't it?!