Standing around the centre circle, the players and officials are carrying out a minute's applause before kick-off for the country's key workers in the NHS and to remember those who have died during the pandemic.

The teams are out on the pitch at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is almost upon us.

Our BBC local radio colleagues are having to get used to the 'new normal' to bring their listeners commentary of EFL matches.

That includes social distancing between BBC Radio London commentator Phil Parry and summariser Bradley Allen in the Johnny Haynes stand at Craven Cottage.

Sadly rights issues mean we cannot bring you live radio commentary of the match online.

Players from all 24 Championship clubs have come together to play their part in an anti-racism campaign message on behalf of the English Football League.

#NotTodayOrAnyDay shows how players and clubs will not accept prejudice.

In addition to the video campaign, the League says it will also support players who wish to ‘"take a knee" before or during matches in support of the Black Lives Matter message as has already been witnessed in games since the return of football across the country earlier this week.

Image source, Rex Features

Fulham have made four changes from the side which drew 1-1 at Bristol City before lockdown.

Joe Bryan, Harrison Reed, Neeskens Kebano and Anthony Knockaert come into the side.

Fulham XI: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan, Decordova-Reid, Reed, Cairney, Kebano, Knockaert, Mitrovic.

Subs: Bettinelli (GK), Christie, Sessegnon, Le Marchand, McDonald, Johansen, Arter, Jasper, Cavaleiro.

Brentford make three changes from the 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

Captain Pontus Jansson returns from a hip injury and Tariqe Fosu starts in the front three, with second-top scorer Bryan Mbeumo out of the squad with the coronavirus.

Brentford XI: Raya, Dalsgaard, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry, Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva, Benrahma, Fosu, Watkins.

Subs: Daniels (GK), Thompson, Roerslev, Jeanvier, Mokotjo, Marcondes, Valencia, Baptiste, Dervisoglu.

Derby County's players have arrived at The Den ahead of their match against Millwall.

That fixture kicks off at 13:00 BST and we'll bring you the team news in a little while.

News of the two teams from the Riverside right here.

Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate makes a couple of changes from their last outing at Charlton in March.

Dael Fry slots in at centre-back in place of departed loanee Harold Moukoudi and Lukas Nmecha starts in place of Marcus Tavernier in attack.

Swansea full-back Kyle Naughton hasn't quite been able to shake off an ankle knock to start, but he is among the subs. Connor Roberts gets the nod at right-back.

Joe Rodon is missing with a quad injury with Ben Wilmot slotting in at centre-back.

Middlesbrough XI: Sojanovic; Howson, Shotton, Fray, Friend, Clayton, McNair, Wing, Coulson, Nmecha, Gestede.

Subs: Pears (GK), Spence, Johnson, Saville, Morrison, Fletcher, Assombalonga.

Swansea City XI: Woodman; Roberts, Bidwell, Wilmot, Cabango, Grimes, Fulton, Kalulu, Ayew, Gallagher, Brewster.

Subs: Mulder (GK), Guehi, Naughton, Byers, Dhanda, Celina, Dyer, Routledge, Garrick.

The automatic promotion race is still to be settled, 10 clubs have legitimate hopes of a play-off place, and the relegation battle looks like it could go the distance.

"It’s a nine-game season now and you have to get as many wins on the board as quickly as possible," Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Radio Tees.

"The players will have to find the mental strength from somewhere to get themselves through these games in a short period of time without fans in the stadium."

Before the big kick-off, get the thoughts of a few other Championship managers on the big issues at stake below.

Image source, Rex Features

There's a third early kick-off today, and it's a second game in the capital.

Millwall have been rejuvenated since the appointment of Gary Rowett as boss back in October and are eyeing a play-off place.

The Lions are two points off the top six after an impressive 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest in their final game before the pandemic hit.

Rowett welcomes one of his former clubs to The Den this lunchtime.

Derby County, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, took time to find their feet under new coach Phillip Cocu, bouncing around the lower half for most of the season while contending with off-field issues.

However, the introduction of player-coach Wayne Rooney in January has boosted the side, and back-to-back wins lifted the Rams into the top half for the first time since November.

County are three points behind Millwall and also harbour hopes of making the top six.

Trying to predict who goes up and who goes down in a "normal" Championship season can be pretty hard work, let along during a delayed, behind-closed-doors campaign.

But Championship video blogger Benjamin Bloom has had a go for BBC Sport - how much do you agree?

Tell us your picks using #bbcefl

Image source, BBC Sport

Automatic promotion: "I think it's hard to look beyond both Leeds and West Brom for the automatic places. It's only going to take another four or five wins from them both before Fulham would have to probably win seven or eight of their last nine to keep up."

Play-offs: "This is tricky, but I think you look at the managers and their tactical approaches when it comes to a cup tie.

"I quite fancy Sabri Lamouchi at Nottingham Forest to organise his team well. But over the course of a play-off tie, you’d back Fulham to be able to keep the ball and you’d fancy Brentford to be able to score at least two or three goals over two legs.

“I think we might see that sixth place change hands quite a few times. Preston may struggle with a smaller squad and without being able to get fans into Deepdale to roar them on.

"Millwall, Bristol City and maybe Blackburn could capitalise on that."

Relegation: "Luton and Barnsley have flattered to deceive at times this season and you'd think that they will still lose more games than they’ll win.

“For the third and final place - you’d worry about Hull the terrible run of form they were on, but you’d also worry about Charlton without Lyle Taylor.

"That's going to go right down to the end."

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has confirmed that forward Bryan Mbeumo will miss this match after testing positive for the virus.

Frank says he is asymptomatic, but he has to sit this one out regardless.

The Frenchman has scored 14 goals for the Bees this season, and has formed a crucial part of their 'BMW' partnership up front.

Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins will be joined by January signing Tariqe Fosu in the front line.

Full team news is on the way shortly.

Image source, Rex Features

With all games being played behind closed doors from now until the end of the campaign, season-ticket holders and regular fans are having to get used to the new normal.

We'll be keeping you up to date with our live text coverage of the Championship, but here are details on streaming and radio coverage which are also available.

Image source, Rex Features

For the remainder of the campaign, all sides in the English Football League will wear shirts bearing an emblem paying tribute to the NHS.

The ‘NHS Rainbow – Thank You’ symbol will recognise healthcare workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be a period of applause ahead of matches this weekend as players and staff pay gratitude to those working on the front line during lockdown.

Many EFL clubs and their community wings have worked closely with their local NHS Trusts during the pandemic, donating resources and providing facilities for use for testing and other means.

The symbol was on view during the League Two play-off matches on Thursday, modeled here by Colchester United goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

Like we've already seen this week in both the Premier League and League Two play-offs, Championship grounds will look very different both inside and outside as the season resumes behind-closed-doors.

Cardiff City return to action against leaders Leeds United on Sunday lunchtime and BBC Sport Wales have been behind the scenes to see what strict measures are in place.

So with no supporters allowed inside grounds for the remainder of the season, it means the match-day habits of many will have to change as well.

How will you be following your side this afternoon? All ears to the radio? On the television or via one of the live streams made available?

Are you having a watch-along with fellow supporters or even converting your front room into your very own version of Craven Cottage to replace the atmosphere?

Let us and share some of your pictures and include #bbefl

The Championship's return today ends a 104-day wait for action in the second tier.

But how much do you remember about what happened before the season was interrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic?

Why not have a go at our quiz?

There are 10 questions - good luck!

Image source, Rex Features

In line with the Premier League, the English Football League has introduced a few temporary match protocols during the pandemic.

Each club is now allowed to select a substitutes' bench of nine players, and can make up to five changes during a match.

However, a side only has three opportunities during a game to make their substitutions.

Six loanees are permitted in squads, although only five can be on the field at any one time.

There are no pre-match handshakes and social distancing should be maintained where possible - including goal celebrations.

Drinks breaks will also take place midway through each half.

Swansea City were among the pace-setters at the start of the season but a dip in form has seen them slip to 11th in the table, three points off the top six.

But captain Matt Grimes says the Swans are ready for a frantic end to the season.

"We have put ourselves in a very good position to give these nine games a real good go," the 24-year-old midfielder said.

"A couple of wins and a couple of really good performances to kick-start us would really start to build momentum and then we just keep going with it.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough claimed a huge win in their last game before the season went on hold with an away victory at Charlton.

But Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate has trotted out that old line of "we're just focusing on the next game".

Swansea are their first opponents in the "nine-game season" as Woodgate has dubbed it and the former Real Madrid man knows there will be some tricky encounters ahead to keep themselves above the dotted drop line.

Swansea could still press towards the play-off places but they went into lockdown without a win in three games as inconsistency continued to dog them.

What better time to get back on a roll than now?

Fulham's players, donning black face masks, have arrived at Craven Cottage ahead of kick-off.

Team news is on the way shortly.