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It's hard to know what to make of Leeds' season so far.

A fine unbeaten run at the start of the campaign under new head coach Thomas Christiansen was followed by a slump in October and November.

But three wins in their last four matches has put the Whites back in the play-off picture.

Today they face Yorkshire rivals Hull City, who have endured their own mixed fortunes this campaign and sit dangerously close to the relegation zone.

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Two teams still holding promotion aspirations meet at Deepdale, with Preston just on the fringes of the play-offs while Nottingham Forest loiter a little further behind.

Alex Neil's Lillywhites are the lowest scorers in the top half of the Championship with 26 from 22 games, with big Jordan Hugill's seven goals making him their top scorer. However they only concede a goal a game on average and that's been the backbone to their bid. They've won four of six games unbeaten.

Forest are best likened to the old Forrest Gump 'box of chocolates'. "Ya never know whatcha gonna get..." One thing you're probably not going to get is a draw. Won 10, lost 12 this season. They can be as flaky as the shortcrust pastry on top of a chicken balti pie, but equally as tasty as the filling.

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Burton have made only two previous visits to the Madejski Stadium and - in those two games - they've conceded eight goals. Is that a bad omen for them?

But today they travel to Berkshire in somewhat bright spirits, after picking up their first win in six games last time out, ending a run of three straight losses.

Meanwhile, Jaap Stam's Reading - still looking to recover after their disappointing start to the campaign - are bidding to avoid a second successive defeat, after losing at Ipswich.

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Ah, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough. Two teams tipped to have the X Factor in 2017-18 are currently fluffing their lines somewhat. They'll fail to make the end of season 'boot camp' that is the play-offs at this rate.

The pressure on Carlos Carvalhal and Garry Monk has been splashed across the backs of local papers in the Steel City and Teesside respectively, as fed-up fans ponder what's gone wrong... and how the club might change it.

Wednesday are without a win in six games, and tumbled down to 15th - 10 points off the play-offs. Middlesbrough are only five points off the top six but damaging defeats against Derby, Bristol City and Millwall have checked their progress.

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Friday's sole game in the Championship saw Lasse Vibe's first-half double for Brentford sink Norwich.

The Canaries have won just one of their last 10 league games under Daniel Farke and there is growing unrest among supporters.

Chants of 'sack the board' and 'Delia out' could also be heard at full-time.

This fella's expression says it all really...

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As well as following this live text service and BBC local radio commentary, you can of course tune in to Final Score on the BBC Red Button and online throughout the afternoon.

Later, the programme will also join viewers on BBC One from 16:00 GMT.

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Millwall's inability to win outside of the borough of Lewisham is a travel sickness that Neil Harris is desperate to find a cure for.

They have played 11 Championship games and failed to win a single one, as well as failing to score in eight games.

That said, there have been some impressive results among their six draws on their travels, including points at Bristol City, Cardiff City and most recently Aston Villa.

Three games unbeaten and two wins from those three matches are evidence of growing confidence. What a time to find their form.

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It might not be to every fan's tastes but Derby County's football under Gary Rowett is certainly effective.

Three straight wins, five wins from six have put the Rams right into the promotion mix despite Rowett responding a few weeks ago to what he believes is unfair criticism about style.

They could go third if the cards fall right this afternoon, and in Millwall they're up against a team they have a fine home record against. One goal conceded in six league meetings at Pride Park, and only one loss.

Positive omens then, in their corner of the East Midlands.

You can find a reminder of this afternoon's fixtures in League One here.

The timings are a bit all over the shop. Gillingham have already beaten Fleetwood on Friday, and Northampton are 1-0 up against Blackburn in a 14:00 GMT kick off.

And the League Two programme is listed here.

The only fourth-tier sides not in action today are Coventry and Wycombe - the Sky Blues winning a 3-2 thriller last night.

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It's been a busy week in South Yorkshire.

A consortium including a Chinese billionaire and the baseball boss who inspired the Hollywood film 'Moneyball' took control of Barnsley on Tuesday.

The takeover ends terminally ill Patrick Cryne's 13-year spell as owner, although the Cryne family will keep a 20% stake in the Tykes.

On the field, Barnsley are in desperate need of a win - they are just outside the Championship relegation zone and have not won in seven games.

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If this fixture was taking place seven days ago, we'd have been joking about this surely being a nailed-on 0-0 draw.

That's because Birmingham have picked up just two away points this season, the worst record in the EFL, while Sunderland almost went an entire calendar year without a home victory.

But then came last weekend's long-awaited win at the Stadium of Light.

Can the Black Cats make it two in a row?

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If there's such a thing as a "relegation six-pointer" as early as December, then this is today's.

Just two points separate Sunderland and bottom-club Birmingham, but their form guides differ greatly.

Sunderland have turned something of a corner since Chris Coleman's arrival and have taken seven points from their past four games in all, while Birmingham have lost four of their past five.

Neither will want the tag of being bottom at Christmas.

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If the PA announcer doesn't play 'Last Christmas' at Accrington's Wham Stadium this afternoon then I will be extremely disappointed.

So, perhaps, will the hardy contingent of Crawley Town fans who made the journey to Lancashire. It's approximately a 536 mile round-trip

"The long road back" indeed...

Carlisle's jaunt to Forest Green is not far off either. 514 miles there and back give or take. Well done to all of you on your travels today.

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A striker who can hit a barn door? A defender who isn't Bambi on ice? Or just a nice festive three points?

What do you want Santa Claus to bring your side for Christmas?

Get in touch using #bbcefl on social media platforms.

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The team hoping to make Cardiff look like plonkers this Christmas are Bolton Wanderers, although their form would suggest it's a tough ask.

The Trotters have won just three EFL games all season, and lost three of their past four games after a mini-revival.

They are only off the foot of the table on goal difference. However, they have won 11 of the past 12 home games against the South Wales side. Will history repeat itself? Former Bluebirds winger Craig Noone will be hoping so for his current club.

Can Phil Parkinson's Wanderers stay off the bottom at Christmas? Wouldn't that be 'Luvvly Jubbly' for the Bolton faithful?

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In a managerial career that started before all of his players were even born (he'd already had eight jobs by the time teenage midfielder Mark Harris entered the world), Cardiff boss Neil Warnock has never won at Bolton in nine attempts.

He will never have a better chance, having steered his Bluebirds side to six wins from seven games unbeaten and one defeat in 10.

Warnock's side can move within a point of leaders' Wolves if results go their way this afternoon. The wily Yorkshireman has a great chance of securing his eighth promotion success come May.

Here are some of the team news headlines:

• Leaders Wolves welcome back Barry Douglas
• Cardiff make two changes, as Omar Bogle returns
• Bristol City change four after beating Man Utd; Matty Taylor starts
• Ethan Pinnock gets his first league start for Barnsley

You can find the full line-up for your side, whichever EFL team you support, via the links below:

• Championship
• League One

• League Two

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That was the dilemma facing Lee Johnson and his Bristol City players after beating Manchester United in Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Korey Smith's last-second strike set up a semi-final against Manchester City next month.

Today, the focus is back to the league and City's promotion push with a visit to QPR.

The Robins have been superb on the road this season - losing just once - and could close the gap to second-placed Cardiff to just one point with victory.

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It's probably best to start with the Championship leaders.

Wolves haven't quite been at their flowing best over the last couple of weeks - but their march towards the Premier League has continued at pace.

Eight wins in their past nine league games has seen them pass 50 points just shy of the halfway point of the season.

Today, Nuno's side take on a resilient Ipswich team who are hovering just outside the play-offs.

Manager Mick McCarthy is a familiar face in the Black Country having spent six years as Wolves boss.

We'll bring you news of every Championship goal and all the big stories in Leagues One and Two so you won't miss a thing.

But there will also be a closer focus on five key games in the second tier.

Matt Newsum is looking after Bolton v Cardiff and Derby v Millwall.

Tom Garry has just about recovered from Wednesday's madness at Ashton Gate and will be taking care of QPR v Bristol City and Sunderland v Birmingham.

Gary Smee will take you through Wolves v Ipswich.

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