A pre-match lights and music show followed by a big roar from the home support greets Middlesbrough’s players as they take to the pitch along with Burnley.

The stage is set under the floodlights on Teesside.

• Middlesbrough are winless in six league games against Burnley (D3 L3) since winning 1-0 in December 2015 under Aitor Karanka.
• Burnley won 2-1 against Boro at the Riverside last time out in 2022-23 – they’ve never won consecutive away league games against them.
• Boro have won their final league game of the year in each of the past three years, winning 2-1 in every game – against Blackpool in 2021, Blackburn in 2022 and Huddersfield in 2023.
• Burnley lost their final league game of the year 3-2 against Aston Villa in 2023 but haven’t done so in consecutive years since between 2005 and 2010 (six in a row).
• Burnley boss Scott Parker has one win in five Championship meetings with Middlesbrough (D3 L1), winning 1-0 with Fulham in January 2020. His five games against them have produced just four goals (2 for, 2 against).

Image source, BBC Sport

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has been forced into three changes from the side that drew 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.

Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Glover starts, replacing the injured Sol Brynn who was forced off with a shoulder issue last time out, while Seny Dieng is also out injured.

Rav van den Berg is suspended after getting sent off against the Owls and is replaced in defence by George Edmundson.

Boro's top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath starts up front in place of Tommy Conway who limped off with a hamstring injury eight minutes into Thursday's game.

Scott Parker, perhaps unsurprisingly, names the same Burnley starting XI that won 2-0 against promotion rivals Sheffield United three days ago.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

In-form Burnley are eyeing a place in the automatic promotion spots to see in the new year following their impressive 2-0 win at fellow high-flyers Sheffield United on Boxing Day.

The Clarets will end 2024 in second position in the Championship if they can beat Middlesbrough tonight.

Scott Parker’s men have won three on the bounce and seven of their past nine (D2), as well as suffering just one defeat in 20 (W11 D8).

Burnley have leant on their formidable defence to propel themselves into contention for a return to the Premier League, conceding just nine goals in 23 games so far, keeping 14 clean sheets along the way.

The Lancashire side are also still yet to let in more than a single goal in any game at the halfway stage of the season.

Another win today for Burnley would set them up nicely to continue their push to go up in 2025.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough were left kicking themselves after letting a three-goal lead slip at home to Sheffield Wednesday to draw 3-3 on Boxing Day in what was their second 3-3 draw in a row.

But Watford and Blackburn’s defeats earlier today means Boro have the chance not only to end the year in the play-off spots, but climb to fifth.

Since a run of four wins in five, Michael Carrick’s side have recorded just one victory in their past five games (D3 L1) and have shipped three goals in three of those games.

Despite their defensive vulnerability in recent weeks, Boro pose a serious threat at the other end and are the second top scorers in the Championship (41) so far, behind only Leeds (44).

They will need to end a six-game winless run in the league against Burnley (D3 L3), last tasting victory over the Clarets when they won 1-0 in December 2015 under Aitor Karanka.

Image source, Rex Features

In one of the fixture computer’s funny quirks, today's matches have thrown up a round of games between sides who only met three-and-a-half weeks ago.

These two sides played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Turf Moor 23 days ago. Each have played just four league games since then.

Anfernee Dijksteel put Middlesbrough ahead that night, dinking cleverly over Burnley keeper James Trafford after 13 minutes for his first ever goal for the club.

It was another unlikely goalscorer who struck back for the Clarets as full-back Connor Roberts equalised eight minutes before half-time with a looping shot from distance on what was a windy night in the north west.

We're heading even further north and across to the east to Teesside for the return fixture this evening to see if either can take all three points this time around.

Image source, Rex Features

We’ve had plenty of drama once again today in the most entertaining division in the world.

Now it is time for the final Championship match of 2024 and it’s not a bad one to finish on.

Middlesbrough welcome Burnley for a big game in the race for promotion to the Premier League.

Time to bring you all the build-up…

So, this bumper day of Championship football moves into its final act.

Here's Ben Ashton to talk you through all the action from Teesside.

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Whatever happens in this evening's late game, Leeds United will end 2024 at the top of the Championship after a day where they kept their heads when all around them were losing theirs.

Sheffield United were held to a 1-1 draw by West Brom in the early game and the teams in fourth, fifth and sixth ALL lost in the 15:00 games.

Things looking very good for Daniel Farke's men.

Jon Newsome
Former Leeds defender on BBC Radio Leeds

You can't ask for much better than that.

We were ultimately dominant in the first half, we finally managed to stick away one of the many chances we created tonight.

It's all about recovery now and getting ready for New Year's Day.

Eric Steele
Former Derby and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Radio Derby

The three subs for them had a massive impact, all of a sudden it was a new pace and a new tempo.

Anybody who finishes above Leeds will be in the Premier League.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United will end 2024 top of the Championship.

The Whites had to wait for the breakthrough but it was thing of beauty when it eventually came, Brenden Aaronson finishing with real class at the end of a long passing move.

Derby played their part in a keenly-fought contest but the promotion chasers had too much for them.

Three successive wins, all with clean sheets for Daniel Farke's men. Ominous form.

Steve: On a day when all the top teams so far have dropped points, Leeds making an important statement for automatic promotion.

Jon Newsome
Former Leeds defender on BBC Radio Leeds

It's a great chance for Bamford.

The keeper comes and narrows the angle well, but what an opportunity.

Leeds sub Patrick Bamford has a chance to wrap it up but can't convert for what would have been his first of the season.

Ao Tanaka is off for the final few seconds for Josuha Guilavogui.

Three minutes of time added on.

Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier hasn't had too much work to do this evening in what is his 200th appearance for the club.

Not bad going for a 24-year-old.

He's closing in on a third successive clean sheet.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds goalscorer (and potential match-winner) Brenden Aaronson is off for the final few moments and Patrick Bamford is on.

Derby throw on strikers James Collins and Dajaune Brown as they look for a late, late leveller.

Leeds fans in full voice now.

Back-to-back away wins over Christmas and going top of the table? You can see why they'd be feeling chipper to be fair.

Can Derby respond now?

They'd worked so hard to keep the Whites out but now they've got to find a way to open them up.

Into the final eight minutes.