After head coach Pep Clotet left Birmingham on Wednesday night - earlier than his previously-set departure date of the end of the campaign, following their 3-1 loss to Swansea - there are two caretakers in co-charge of the Blues this afternoon.

First-team coach Craig Gardner and professional development coach Steve Spooner are in the away technical area.

Spooner's the man giving out instructions in the early stages.

On this hot summer afternoon, we're under way in the Championship.

At both games, all the players stand around the centre circle to pause for a minute's silence following yesterday's news of the death of Jack Charlton.

The World Cup winner spent his entire playing career with Leeds. He'll be sorely missed.

Image source, Rex Features

The weather at both grounds is pretty glorious, with blue skies and bright, warm sunshine.

As ever, you can have your say on any on today's Championship action via #bbcefl on social media.

Stoke & Birmingham fans - have your team got enough within them to stay up?

Leeds fans, are you really going to do it this year? How are your nerves?

And Swansea supporters, what would it mean if you could pip rivals Cardiff to a play-off spot?

We'll also gladly accept suggestions for your next Birmingham manager, after Pep Clotet's exit this week, and of course, we welcome your memories of the late, great Jack Charlton.

Hosts Stoke make two changes, as a neck injury sees keeper Jack Butland miss out against his former club. Adam Davies replaces him, while Nathan Collins is replaced by James Chester in defence.

Visitors Birmingham are without left-back Kristian Pedersen and centre-half Jake Clarke-Salter because of injuries, while midfielder Dan Crowley and winger Jeremie Bela drop to the bench. That quartet are replaced by Harlee Dean, Nico Gordon, Wes Harding and 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund target Jude Bellingham.

Stoke XI: Davies, Smith, Chester, Batth, Martins Indi, Cousins, Clucas, Campbell, Powell, McClean, Vokes.

Birmingham XI: Camp, Colin, Roberts, Dean, Gordon, Harding, Gardner, Sunjic, Bellingham, Jutkiewicz, Hogan.

Swansea head coach Steve Cooper and Leeds United counterpart Marcelo Bielsa both name unchanged sides for this match.

The Swans beat Birmingham 3-1 in midweek, while Leeds thumped Stoke 5-0.

Why change something which isn't broken?

Swansea XI: Woodman, Naughton, Cabango, Guehi, Roberts, Fulton, Grimes, Bidwell, Gallagher, Ayew, Brewster.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Costa, Roberts, Harrison, Bamford.

Image source, .

Down at the other end of the table, the relegation battle is so congested we actually can't fit all the contenders for the drop in our six-team-long table graphic!

Middlesbrough (47 points) and Birmingham (49) are just above Huddersfield, while we cannot forget 15th-placed Wigan either, whose total of 54 points is poised to become 42 points as it stands, with their 12-point deduction leaving them bottom, in theory. The Latics have appealed against the punishment.

Today though, focus is on Stoke and Birmingham, who are separated by three points.

A victory for the Blues would surely see them safe for another year, while a win for Stoke would lift them four points clear of danger, above the Blues in to 17th.

It's a classic, proverbial six-pointer.

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As for Swansea, after sixth-placed Cardiff were beaten on Friday, the Swans have qualification for the play-offs mathematically in their own hands.

They would go sixth today if they can get a point or more from this toughest of games in hand.

However, the Swans also know their run-in looks tricky, with games against Nottingham Forest and Bristol City to come, before a final-day trip to Reading.

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With four games left, the equation for Leeds is simple, mathematically: Take a minimum of seven points from the 12 available to them and they will be playing Premier League football next season.

The first of those comes this afternoon at Swansea, before games against Barnsley, Derby and Charlton in that order.

You may have noticed that, hypothetically, if third-placed Brentford and Leeds both took maximum points from their upcoming games, Marcelo Bielsa's men could seal promotion in their game against Derby, a week today.

The football fixture Gods sure know how to write a script, don't they?

Leeds' game today comes after Saturday's news of the death of England World Cup winner Jack Charlton, who spent his entire 21-year playing career with the club.

He made a joint club record 773 appearances for Leeds before retiring as a player in 1973, having been part of the side that won the 1969 league title and 1972 FA Cup.

United have said they are "deeply saddened". Floral tributes have been placed by fans outside Elland Road.

Image source, Getty Images

This gripping Championship season is closing in on a tense climax at both ends of the table and today's two games could hardly have any more riding on them.

Leaders Leeds United's bid for automatic promotion faces one of its toughest remaining hurdles, as they meet play-off chasing Swansea City in south Wales.

Meanwhile Stoke City, sitting precariously just one point above the relegation zone, host a struggling, managerless Birmingham City side who are only three points better off themselves.

Let the drama unfold... Good afternoon to you all. Kick-off at both games is coming up at 13:30 BST.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features