Image source, Rex Features

Improving Stoke are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run but need to start turning more of their draws into wins.

Today, they host a Millwall side who are in the relegation zone on goal difference and looking for their first win in seven matches.

Image source, Rex Features

QPR boss Steve McClaren enjoyed a win over his former club Middlesbrough last Saturday. Today, he’ll be hoping to make it two in a row, as he takes Rangers to another club he used to manage in Nottingham Forest.

The seventh-placed Reds could end the day in the play-off places though, if they win or draw while other results go their way.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough fans were left frustrated after their defeat by League One Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Boro have also failed to win any of their past four league games and are in danger of falling out of the play-off places if they slip up at managerless Reading today.

There's still no white smoke from the Madejski Stadium, although Rio Ave's Jose Manuel Gomes looks to be the chosen one to take Reading's managerial vacancy. The Royals are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Image source, Rex Features

Ipswich’s campaign finally came to life last time out, as they won for the first time under Paul Lambert and for the first time at home all season.

They remain bottom, but their fans will have fresh optimism as they welcome Sheffield United to Portman Road this afternoon.

The Blades have stuttered slightly in December so far, losing two of their past three games, but they remain in promotion contention, eight points off leaders Leeds, in fifth.

They're getting into the festive spirit before Peterborough's home game against Walsall in League One...

Image source, Rex Features

Derby were frustrated as they were denied what manager Frank Lampard called “the easiest penalty to give” in Monday’s 0-0 draw with their local rivals Nottingham Forest.

But, six points off the top two in fourth place, the Rams are well-positioned to pursue a bid for automatic promotion after Christmas.

This afternoon they face a mid-table Bristol City outfit who are arguably enjoying some of their best form of the season, unbeaten in four games after holding high-flying Norwich last weekend, and striker Famara Diedhiou has scored three goals in those four.

If you got West Brom's Bakary Sako some headphones for Christmas, I hope you kept the receipt.

He already has a very neat pair...

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Third-placed West Brom are unbeaten in their past six games, winning four of those.

They could move to within three points of promotion rivals Leeds today, before the Elland Road club’s trip to Aston Villa tomorrow, but only if they win away to a stubborn Rotherham outfit.

The Millers have struggled for wins of late, but they don’t lose many games either - they’ve drawn 10 of their past 13 matches.

Image source, Rex Features

• Norwich bring in Moritz Leitner for Mario Vrancic at Blackburn, who also make one change. Adam Armstrong replaces Craig Conway, who is injured.
• Rotherham make three changes for the visit of West Bromwich Albion, with Ryan Manning among those coming back into the starting line-up. The Baggies are unchanged from their win at Sheffield United eight days ago.
• Strugglers Ipswich Town make three changes for the visit of Sheffield United as Andre Dozzell, Gwion Edwards and Ellis Harrison come in, while the Blades are unchanged.

• Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss Lee Bullen makes five changes, including goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and ex-Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher being brought in. Louis Moult and Darnell Fisher start for Preston.
• Sunderland's Duncan Watmore is back from injury and makes his first league start for more than a year in their League One game against leaders Portsmouth.

Image source, Rex Features

Struggling Sheffield Wednesday parted company with manager Jos Luhukay on Friday, after a run of one win in 10 games.

The 55-year-old Dutchman had been in charge since January.

In case you missed it, you can read more here.

His departure means first team coach Lee Bullen will be in caretaker charge for today's game against Preston.

Bullen has made five changes from the team beaten at Swansea last time out, with goalkeeper Keiren Westwood coming in for his first appearance since 9 December 2017.

Image source, Rex Features

Promotion contenders Norwich dropped to second last weekend, as they drew at Bristol City after Leeds won at Bolton.

But - with Marcelo Bielsa’s side not in action until tomorrow - the Canaries could go back to the Championship’s summit this afternoon if they win at Blackburn.

However, Rovers have lost just one of their past 34 home league games. They start the day five points off the play-off places, in 12th.

Image source, Rex Features

I'm going to make a sweeping generalisation here but I'll say with some confidence that, for the majority of us, the next 10 days are going to involve eating too much, a last-minute trip to the shops to buy mince pies and rowing with relatives over the 'bending' of board game rules.

The next 10 days for footballers look a little different, with four games condensed into the next week and a half.

Nobody will win promotion or suffer relegation between now and 1 January but a good run could change your team's fortunes, while a bad one might leave you reassessing those lofty pre-season hopes.

Good afternoon and welcome to Saturday's EFL live text coverage.