Image source, Empics

There's no getting away from the fact that going 17 away league games without victory is rather poor.

In fact, itis the longest away winless run in the top four tiers of English football.

But that last victory on the road came at Birmingham, where QPR visit today.

Could Ian Holloway's side take things full circle and win at St Andrew's?

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When in a relegation scrap it's often said that experience is key and Burton have it in abundance.

Four players have started a Championship match aged 35 or older for the Brewers season (Luke Varney, Lloyd Dyer, Stephen Warnock and Stephen Bywater) – no other side has had more than one start a match.

However, they're bottom as things stand. Can the veterans help them get something at relegation rivals Bolton?

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It is a day of two rare fixtures in League One.

Blackburn Rovers v Charlton Athletic is a game that has graced the top flight and the second tier numerous times, but you have to go back to January 1975 for the last time these two clubs met in what is now known as League One.

Both sides are eyeing promotion this season with third-placed Rovers five points above the Addicks who occupy the final play-off spot.

Leaders Wigan Athletic make their first-ever visit to AFC Wimbledon as they look to consolidate their four-point lead at the top, while second-placed Shrewsbury host mid-table Blackpool.

At the bottom any of Doncaster, Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Gillingham, Plymouth or Northampton could be in the bottom four at the close of play depending on results - only four points separate the clubs who are in 18th-23rd place.

Image source, Rex Features

He may only have scored twice this season - in convincing away triumphs - but Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis is attracting a lot of attention.

The last teenager to play this many minutes in a league season for Villa was James Milner in 2005-06, and he went on to do OK didn't he.

The extent of Davis' involvement may partly be down to injuries, but today's opponents Derby will be more than aware of what the 19-year-old can produce.

Every club has a cult hero and it seems Aden Flint is filling that prized role at Bristol City.

The centre-back has a goal ratio comparable to many experienced strikers and his boss Lee Johnson has been waxing lyrical about him.

"He's scored so many goals, he's fast becoming a real icon for the football club," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

Watch out this afternoon, Nottingham Forest!

Final Score

Following our live text to keep action this afternoon's action isn't your only option this afternoon.

You can also keep up to date as all the goals go in by watching Final Score by clicking on the play button at the top of the page.

This afternoon Jason Mohammad is joined by Dion Dublin and Garth Crooks.

Goalkeepers thrive off clean sheets and, having failed to keep one all season, Sunderland stopper Robin Ruiter has had two in three games since Chris Coleman's arrival - including an impressive shutout against Wolves.

Today they look for that elusive first home win of 2017 against Fulham, and Ruiter appears revitalised.

"It gives the rest of the team confidence," he told BBC Newcastle.

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Luton and Notts County - who drew 1-1 last week - are still level at the top of League Two on 42 points heading into this afternoon.

On paper high-scoring Luton should be too strong for Forest Green - the Hatters travel to the New Lawn for the first time in the Football League with the Gloucestershire side in the relegation zone and reeling after a late extra-time loss at Exeter City in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

County host Grimsby, but the Mariners have not been beaten at Meadow Lane since March 2007.

Third-placed Accrington face a tricky trip to seventh-placed Lincoln City while the other two sides in the top seven who play this afternoon - Exeter and Wycombe - both have home games.

It may involve plenty of eating and drinking but Christmas is also about good deeds and giving.

This week Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom visited a local hospice to meet lifelong Reds fan Hazel - it's a truly heartwarming video.

Will there be good karma in the form of three points at Brentford today?

Continuously poor results, a severe lack of goals and a lengthy injury-list - Birmingham and boss Steve Cotterill have a lot of turning around to do.

They sit 22nd in the Championship and welcome QPR to St Andrew's. After their most recent defeat, by Fulham, Cotterill opened up to fans.

"It's a tough situation at the moment," he told BBC WM. "It's tough for everyone connected with the club right now."

They were the pre-season title favorites but it's not quite happened for Garry Monk's Middlesbrough this season.

Their victory over Ipswich last time out was timely, but the Teessiders are five points from the play-offs going into their trip to Millwall today.

"You expect the highest standards, that's how it should be," Monk told BBC Tees. "I think you'll see those standards creeping up higher, that's what we need to do."

It's not very often you see a substitution before a game starts, but there's been a late change of referee for Morecambe's trip to Barnet in League Two.

Rather now than after kick-off I guess - we've already had a fan take over as fourth official at Norwich this season!

They're 10th in the Championship and on a good run of form but it's probably fair to say scoring hasn't been Preston's strong point this season.

A haul of 25 goals from 21 games is worse than second-bottom Sunderland and Alex Neil has moved to sign Motherwell striker Louis Moult this week for around £500,000.

He won't arrive until the New Year, so Preston will turn to the likes of Jordan Hugill and Sean Maguire as they host an out-of-sorts Sheffield United.

It didn't take long for Birmingham's decision to sack Gary Rowett to look like a bad one, and a year later it doesn't look any better.

Rowett has been Derby boss since March and they host Aston Villa this afternoon - but the Rams manager rejects claims he wanted out of Blues prior to his departure.

"There's loads of stuff knocking about that 'Rowett wanted to leave'. The simple fact is that, if I'd wanted to leave, I would have left," he told BBC Radio Derby.

Right, that's the pleasantries sorted - let's start building up to those big 15:00 GMT matches across the EFL...

We've had the snow and now it's rain causing problems for one or two pitches.

Crewe had a pitch inspection earlier this afternoon because of the amount of water on the surface, but it's passed and play will go ahead as planned.

Bristol City's goal GIFS have been all the rage this season - and you never know we may be able to bring you some new ones this afternoon.

But, with The Last Jedi out at cinemas this weekend, Barnsley have paid homage to the Star Wars saga in the way they have presented their team news for the trip to Brentford. Enjoy.

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But this team news announcement deserves a post of its own...

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In the past 15 minutes 20 Championship managers have named teams for their 15:00 GMT games - here are the most interesting selections:

• Leeds hand Sweden Under-21 international forward Pawel Cibicki his full debut as they host Norwich
• Joe Garner comes in for Ipswich's game against Reading to replace Emyr Huws, who will miss the rest of the season. David McGoldrick is back on the bench after injury
• Fifth-placed Aston Villa make four changes to the side held by Millwall last time out as they go to fourth-placed Derby
• Hordur Magnusson replaces Niclas Eliasson for Bristol City, who also have Korey Smith fit for the visit of Nottingham Forest
• Sunderland pick James Vaughan to come in for the suspended Lee Cattermole for their match against Fulham

Last night's Championship offering saw Wolves win at struggling Sheffield Wednesday to go seven points clear at the top - despite once again not being at their fluent best.

Ruben Neves' classy first-half finish showed their undoubted quality, leaving Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal under more pressure after a run of six without victory.