Summary

  • Reading, Huddersfield & Leeds all win

  • Norwich suffer eighth league defeat in 10 games

  • Jermaine Beckford sent off for Preston

  • Leaders Newcastle host Sheffield Wednesday (19:45 GMT)

  1. Vote nowpublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    Which EFL club is the surprise package of the season so far?

    There are eight options to choose from in today's vote. Here are the first four:

    • Making their third-tier debut, AFC Wimbledon have adapted quickly in League One. Neal Ardley's side have lost just three times since August and are ninth, three points from the play-offs.
    • Paul Heckingbottom's newly-promoted Barnsley were tipped for a relegation battle, but the Tykes have entertained in the Championship. They've won 4-0 at Wolves, 3-0 at Birmingham and 4-3 at Cardiff, and occupied a top-half spot at Christmas.
    • With just one league defeat so far, Carlisle United have been the success story in League Two. The Cumbrians have the best goal difference in the fourth tier and Charlie Wyke has 10 league goals already.
    • Huddersfield Town were the Championship's surprise early leaders and, despite a winless November, have picked up three straight wins to remain fourth. On-loan forward Elias Kachunga, with eight league goals, has been in fine form.
  2. Vote openpublished at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    Which EFL club is the surprise package of the season so far?

    Many EFL clubs will reach the halfway point of their league seasons today, so it seems as good a time as any to reflect on what we've seen so far.

    You can get involved by participating in our today's vote: Which EFL club is the surprise package of the season so far?

    Desktop users can find the options on the right-hand side of the page, while mobile and app users can make their selection by heading to the "Vote" tab.

    Voting closes at 16:00 GMT and we'll publish the final results shortly afterwards. You can view our voting terms and conditions here.

  3. Kick-offpublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    Brentford 0-0 Cardiff

    Brentford and Cardiff take to the field at Griffin Park and our Boxing Day EFL action is about to get under way.

    The teams are also out as Southend host Wimbledon in League One, and at Leyton Orient in League Two, where Crawley are today's visitors.

  4. Big Sam's backpublished at 12:56 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    Premier League latest: Watford 0-1 Crystal Palace

    This man got an early Christmas present - a return to the Premier League...

    Sam AllardyceImage source, Reuters

    Former England boss Sam Allardyce replaced Alan Pardew as manager of Crystal Palace on Friday.

    His first game in charge, away at Watford, is already under way, and it is going well so far for Allardyce's men.

    Follow live text and radio coverage of the Premier League's early kick-off here.

  5. Team newspublished at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    Brentford v Cardiff (13:00 GMT)

    Brentford are unchanged from their 1-0 loss at Leeds.

    Cardiff make three changes from their 4-3 home defeat by Barnsley, including one in goal, as Brian Murphy comes in for Ben Amos. Sol Bamba is still suspended.

    Brentford: Bentley, Egan, Dean, Bjelland, Colin, Woods, Yennaris, Field, Vibe, Hogan, Sawyers.

    Cardiff: Murphy, Connolly, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Peltier, Hoilett, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Bennett, Zohore.

  6. Early startspublished at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    So, there are 34 games being played in the Championship, League One and League Two today, and we have three 13:00 GMT kick-offs to start you off - one from each division of the EFL:

    • Championship: Brentford v Cardiff
    • League One: Southend v AFC Wimbledon
    • League Two: Leyton Orient v Crawley

    We'll keep you updated with the main action as we build up to today's 15:00 GMT kick-offs.

  7. On today's menu...published at 12:47 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    Empty plateImage source, Rex Features

    Does anyone else feel really, really, really full?

    Well, I hope you have the appetite for lots of football, because we have plenty on the menu this afternoon.

    Today there are 10 Championship games, 12 matches in League One and 12 in League Two.

    The action gets under way at 13:00 GMT, with one early kick-off in each of the three divisions.

  8. Boxing Day's EFL actionpublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2016

    OakwellImage source, Getty Images

    Clear blue sky across much of the country.

    A crisp feel in the air.

    And the football's on.

    Could it get any better than this?

    It's Boxing Day, 2016 and this is BBC Sport's live coverage of the day's full programme of English Football League fixtures.