Image source, Rex Features

Fulham face an extreme examination of their promotion credentials straight away as the Championship restarts.

The Whites are aiming to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, but find themselves six points off the top two.

First is a home clash against fourth-placed Brentford, and then Fulham travel to leaders Leeds United next Saturday.

"We know the Championship is relentless but this is something I have never experienced, having three months out and then coming straight back into this carnage," captain Tom Cairney told BBC Radio London.

"The only way is to hit the ground running, as otherwise you'll be too far behind. There is no room for slip-ups right now."

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There are two matches which kick off in just over an hour.

Fulham were on a four-match unbeaten run before the season was suspended, although they needed a late goal from midfielder Tom Cairney to salvage a draw at Bristol City in their last outing.

Brentford impressed in their last performance, with Josh Dasilva scoring twice as the Bees demolished Sheffield Wednesday 5-0 at Griffin Park.

Bryan Mbeumo scored the only goal of the game as Thomas Frank's men beat Fulham 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in December.

The Whites have won more points at home this season than any other Championship side, but have only won one of their past 18 home games against their west London rivals.

If goals and goalscorers are your bag, here is how the race for the Championship golden boot stands ahead of the restart.

The top two forwards in the division, Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic and Brentford's Ollie Watkins, go head-to-head at Craven Cottage in the early kick-off.

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Jarrod Bowen's 16 goals for Hull came before his move to West Ham in January, while Nahki Wells struck 13 times for QPR before his switch to Bristol City that month.

Most clubs have a week's rest after today's fixtures - with Brentford and West Brom meeting next Friday night in another important clash in the automatic promotion race.

But after that, the fixtures will come thick and fast.

Eight rounds of games are crammed into just four weeks, which will sort the men from the boys - or just the clubs with the larger squads and fewer injuries from the unfortunates.

The play-offs will then follow, beginning on 26-27 July and culminating at Wembley on 4 August.

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If you're coming out of lockdown blinking into the daylight and barely able to remember who's where in the Championship table and what's happened in the past three months then we can help you out.

Here's a recap of how the promotion race, play-off picture and battle to avoid relegation look with nine games of the campaign remaining.

Spolier alert: Leeds United are top of the table.

If you fancy a recap of how we got to this situation, here are the key dates during the Championship's absence;

• Friday, 13 March - Season halted because of the coronavirus pandemic
• The initial plan was to return on 30 April, but on 3 April the EFL announced an indefinite suspension
• The EFL published the first set of its coronavirus tests on 24 May, with two cases at Hull
• Championship squads returned to training on Monday, 25 May
• On 31 May, the EFL announced the second-tier campaign would restart on 20 June
• The regular season is set to finish on Wednesday, 22 July
• Play-off semi-finals will follow on 26-27 and 29-30 July, with the play-off final on Tuesday, 4 August

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Here's how the picture at the bottom looks ahead of the season restart.

Charlton Athletic travel to Hull City in a massive game in the context of the relegation battle.

Middlesbrough can move five points clear of danger if they beat Swansea in their early kick-off.

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Here's how the top of the Championship looks ahead of the early kick-offs.

Fulham are looking to close the gap to the top two, but could just be a point ahead of Brentford if they lose to their west London rivals.

Millwall will move up to sixth if they beat Derby County - but the Lions, in 8th, are just three points ahead of the 12th-placed Rams in the table.

West Brom can move top of the table if they avoid defeat at home against Birmingham City at 15:00 BST.

The Championship returns with 11 games today. League leaders Leeds United are not in action until tomorrow lunchtime.

Here is what is coming up this afternoon;

• Fulham v Brentford (12:30 BST)
• Middlesbrough v Swansea City (12:30 BST)
• Millwall v Derby County (13:00 BST)
• Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
• Huddersfield Town v Wigan Athletic
• Hull City v Charlton Athletic
• Luton Town v Preston North End
• QPR v Barnsley
• Reading v Stoke City
• Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest
• West Brom v Birmingham City

One hundred and four days since a ball was last kicked in anger in the Championship, we go again.

The 2019-20 season was put on ice just hours before Fulham were due to host Brentford on Friday, 13 March.

After a spell in lockdown, the second tier is back out of cold storage - and that west London derby will be one of the first two games to restart the action at 12:30 BST.

Three days after the Premier League got back under way, today brings the first of nine remaining rounds as the Championship begins a mad month to end the regular campaign.

We'll be there every step of the way to bring you every goal in our live text coverage.

Image source, Rex Features