Image source, Getty Images

• Both Nottingham Forest and Leeds name an unchanged starting line-up despite losing against Millwall and Hull last time out respectively.
• Brentford make three changes, with Henrik Dalsgaard, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Said Benrahma brought in; Norwich keep faith with their starting XI from the defeat by Derby.
• Blackburn bring in Amari'i Bell, Corry Evans, Adam Armstrong, Bradley Dack and Danny Graham, while Gareth Barry, Matt Phillips and Hal Robson-Kanu start for West Brom.
• Derby are unchanged for the visit of Middlesbrough, who make an enforced change with Adam Clayton in for Stewart Downing.

Image source, Rex Features

Hull have had a December to remember, but no doubt boss Nigel Adkins will be urging his players to keep plugging away rather than celebrating their recent run of form.

He can afford time to smile though.

The Tigers have won their past four games in a seven-match unbeaten run which has seen them climb out of the relegation zone to 14th and 11 points clear of trouble.

What has been the secret? Double helpings of Brussels sprouts over Christmas?

Conversely, Bolton - the Championship's lowest scorers with just 17 goals - are in a bit of a funk.

In the midst of a wage dispute last month, Wanderers have picked up just one win in their past 15 games, losing 10 of them.

But four points from their past two games has seen Phil Parkinson's side lift themselves out of the bottom three on goal difference.

But the Trotters have been fairly wretched on the road recently, having taken just four points from the past 30 available away from home.

Image source, Rex Features

It's a clash of two play-off challengers at Pride Park, with sixth-placed Derby hosting Middlesbrough, who sit fifth.

Just goal difference separates these two with Boro boasting the best defence in the Championship, having conceded just 17 goals in 25 games.

The Rams recorded their first win in four thanks to Jack Marriott's late winner at Norwich on Saturday, while Boro have won two of their past three.

Derby boss Frank Lampard will know he is in for a test against Tony Pulis, one of the most experienced managers in the division.

Defeat for either side could mean the chasing pack, which includes Birmingham and QPR, start sniffing blood.

What New Year's Resolution would you set your club?

Keep more clean sheets? Practice penalties? Or something else entirely?

Let us know what you want via #bbcefl on social media.

Image source, Getty Images

The race for the Championship golden boot has hotted up over Christmas.

Long-time front-runner Neal Maupay of Brentford has been joined on 15 goals by Norwich's Teemu Pukki, who he'll come up against at Griffin Park today.

Sheffield United skipper Billy Sharp is level with the pair, while Villa's Tammy Abraham and Forest's Lewis Grabban are a goal back and West Brom's Dwight Gayle and Leeds marksman Kemar Roofe are hot on their heels.

Maupay's goals haven't done much for the Bees recently, with the west Londoners winning just one of their past nine games under new boss Thomas Frank - although they have not been beaten in their past three.

Today's visitors Norwich have been flying high this season bidding for automatic promotion, but saw their 12-match unbeaten run ended in dramatic fashion by Derby County on Saturday as the Rams scored an injury-time winner.

Can the Canaries, who are second in the table, get back on song?

Image source, PA

There hasn't been much to cheer for Blackburn fans over Christmas, with Rovers losing three in a row.

Tony Mowbray's side were on the brink of the play-offs in October but have taken 10 points from 12 games since, slipping to 15th in the Championship table.

The visit of in-form West Brom might not provide much respite to the Lancastrians.

The Baggies are nine without defeat in the league - the longest current unbeaten run in the division - and have won three of their past four games.

And they're boosted by the availability of 12-goal striker Jay Rodriguez, who won his appeal after being sent off against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Image source, Rex Features

Two teams with aspirations of reaching the play-offs meet at Villa Park.

Villa have improved since Dean Smith took charge in October, and are just about hanging on to the coat tails of the top six, losing just once in their past 10 games.

But their momentum has been checked with three draws in their past five outings, and the visit of QPR, a point and a place ahead of the ninth-placed Claret & Blues offers and opportunity to strike a blow to a rival.

Villa usually start the year well though - they are unbeaten in their past eight league games on New Year's Day stretching back to a defeat by Chelsea in 2001.

It has been a fairly happy Christmas for Steve McClaren and his QPR side, who won three in a row before being held at home by Reading on Saturday.

The memories of losing their first four Championship games have been long banished as Rangers are now mounting a push for the top six.

Here's what we have in store in the Championship today.

Leaders Leeds and second-placed Norwich will be hoping to get back on track after both sides lost on Saturday.

All games kick off at 15:00 GMT.

• Aston Villa v QPR
• Blackburn v West Brom
• Brentford v Norwich
• Derby v Middlesbrough
• Hull v Bolton
• Ipswich v Millwall
• Nottm Forest v Leeds
• Reading v Swansea
• Rotherham v Preston
• Sheff Wed v Birmingham
• Stoke v Bristol City
• Wigan v Sheff Utd

Image source, PA

Did you wake up with a fuzzy head from celebrating New Year's Eve too hard?

A new year brings new possibilities, and it's no different in the English Football League.

Hopes of promotion, reaching the play-offs or avoiding relegation... it's all still possible before the end of the season.

The festive period has brought matches thick and fast, and it comes to a close today with a full league programme.

All 72 member clubs are in league action before the majority switch their focus to FA Cup ties at the weekend.

Stay here and we'll bring you all the action from the EFL.