Image source, Rex Features

It's goalless at the break at Deepdale with chances at either end for Preston and Middlesbrough.

Will there be goals when this one gets going again in 15 minutes' time?

We are now getting under way across the country in the 19:45 GMT kick-offs.

Who's going to lead the Championship tonight? And what will the bottom of the table look like?

If you're anything like me, you're in a permanent state of queasiness from the constant consumption of chocolate now that the festive period has well and truly arrived.

With that in mind, what are your festive football puns? Can you better my effort of John O'Sleigh or Rudolph van Nistelrooy?

Tis the season to be jolly. So send in yours to #bbcefl on social media.

Image source, Rex Features

Reading can go top of the table with a win, if Norwich fail to beat Nottingham Forest tonight.

After losing four in a row, the Royals are unbeaten in their last four Championship matches – winning two and drawing two.

They'll be hoping Yakou Meite continues his good form against tonight's visitors to the Madejski Stadium. The striker has scored in each of his four starts against Birmingham in all competitions, netting four goals.

Birmingham will be looking to build on Saturday's away win at Bristol City and are unbeaten in their last six away league games against Reading.

However, manager Aitor Karanka’s three away Championship matches against the Royals have seen his sides fail to score a single goal, drawing one and losing two of those games.

A chance for Middlesbrough now as this early game ticks towards half-time.

Marvin Johnson puts another cross in to the box which eludes the onrushing Britt Assomablonga.

Preston breathe a sigh of relief.

BBC local radio

Unfortunately, rights restrictions mean we cannot bring you live radio commentary of tonight's games online, but you can of course listen in via your local BBC Radio station, if you live in the relevant areas.

Enjoy!

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Hughton's Nottingham Forest are in a dreadful bit of form at the minute and face promotion-chasing Norwich this evening as they chase down some much-needed points.

Hughton managed Norwich between 2012 and 2014 and has only ever managed against the Canaries once since leaving, which resulted in a 2-0 defeat with Brighton in 2017.

Forest have failed to score in their past five league games - so the omens could be in Norwich's favour this evening.

Preston have started this game brightly and they've just come close to taking the lead yet again.

Tom Barkhuizen is in fine form in front of goal for the Lilywhites of late and he's almost added another to his tally, having scored four in his past five games.

He's one-on-one with Middlesbrough keeper Marcus Bettinelli, who makes the save.

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City go into tonight's game on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Birmingham in their last outing.

The Robins' form at home has not been the greatest either, picking up just one win in their last six Championship games at Ashton Gate.

They'll be looking at Nahki Wells to get them back on track tonight. The striker has scored four goals in his last six league starts against Blackburn across spells at Huddersfield and QPR.

Blackburn are unbeaten in their last seven league games winning three on the bounce before Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brentford.

Rovers who sit 10th in the table, two points behind tonight's opponents, will be looking to win three consecutive league games against Bristol City for only a second time.

Chances at either end in the early kick-off!

Middlesbrough press upfield and almost carve a way through but Marvin Johnson's cross fails to reach Duncan Watmore.

Then soon after, Brad Potts hits the side netting for Preston after some good work from Tom Barkhuizen.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Rex Features

It comes as no surprise to most of you that Derby County are not in their best run of form at the minute.

But the Rams are currently unbeaten under interim boss Wayne Rooney having won once and drawn twice under his temporary tenure.

They face Brentford tonight looking to pad that out to four games and victory against the Bees could take them out of the bottom three.

First chance in this game goes to the hosts. Preston have a dreadful home record this term so how helpful it would be for them to take an early lead.

Ben Davies gets onto the end of Ryan Ledson's free-kick which catches Middlesbrough out before going out for a goal kick.

Barnsley won only one of their first 11 Championship games last season, but escaped relegation after a final-day victory at Brentford.

Wycombe are in the bottom three, but already have two wins to their credit from 11, the most recent at Birmingham City on 4 November.

Can Gareth Ainsworth mastermind another away success against a Barnsley side that conceded four at home against Bournemouth on Friday?

It's only the seventh meeting between the two sides and first since February 2019 when Cauley Woodrow scored both goals in a 2-1 Barnsley win.

Image source, Rex Features

Final Score

As well as following today's English Football League action via our live text commentary, you can also keep up with all the goings on in the Championship and beyond by watching BBC Final Score.

Just click the play icon at the top of this page to tune in.

It's just getting under way.

We are under way in tonight's early kick-off at Deepdale.

We will bring you updates on the action as well as previewing the rest of tonight's Championship fixtures.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has guided the club to midtable this season as they lie four points off the play-off places.

However his side face off against a Preston side who are similarly inconsistent this season.

That being said, there's some cause for optimism from the Lilywhites this evening.

Whilst in charge of Cardiff, Warnock lost both of his league matches against Preston in 2017-18 despite only losing once in 16 meetings beforehand.

At the bottom of the Championship table, this is how it looks before tonight's games really get going.

Derby can get themselves out of the bottom three if they beat Brentford away from home.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest can move up a place and pull away from the drop zone if they beat Norwich.

Image source, BBC Sport

Going into tonight's fixtures, here's how the top of the Championship looks.

Bournemouth lead the way but Norwich and Reading both have the chance to knock them off their perch this evening.

If Reading win and Norwich draw or lose, the Royals will be top of the tree tonight.

A win for the Canaries would see them go top.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

As we said earlier, Bournemouth lead the second tier after they drew with Swansea last night while Watford kept up with the pace after their win at struggling Rotherham.

Cardiff went four straight games with maximum points thanks to their win versus Stoke.

At the other end of the table, Huddersfield reigned supreme in their Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday as the Owls slumped to a second straight defeat and bottom of the table.

Finally, there were draws for Millwall and QPR as well as Coventry and Luton Town.

Bournemouth edged ahead in their pursuit of promotion from the Championship last night as they moved top of the table courtesy of their goalless draw at Swansea.

But the Cherries are still level on points with Norwich who could reestablish themselves at the top of the pile with victory against Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, Reading welcome Birmingham City as they look to heat things up at the top and there's a feast of other fixtures to get stuck into.

The fun and games get under way very soon.