Preston don't have a great deal to play for as the season begins to reach its end but Middlesbrough are still very much in the mix for a play-off spot.

The visitors win a free-kick as Dael Fry fouls Ched Evans but the hosts deal with it.

Has that set the tone?

Lee Buchanan fouls Bryan Mbeumo in the box and Brentford have an early penalty!

Derby have handed 19-year-old midfielder Louie Watson his first start, while captain Pontus Jansson returns to the centre of Brentford's defence after a three-month injury lay-off.

The Bees are getting on the ball in the early minutes as you'd expect, but Wayne Rooney's Rams can't let them settle.

Image source, Rex Features

Leaders Cheltenham have gone behind to 22nd-placed Barrow in just the second minute to one of the strangest goals you will see.

James Jones bends in a low, fairly harmless looking ball from the right, Cheltenham defender Ben Tozer takes a swipe at the ball to clear, misses, and it creeps inside the post. Bizarre.

Strugglers Rotherham are several games behind the rest of the division due to a couple weather-based postponements and a coronavirus outbreak.

And Paul Warne's Millers remain depleted, with several players still isolating.

However the hosts win a corner after 20 seconds and Watford's Ken Sema has to head clear.

Right then, we are now under way across the English Football League in tonight's 19:00 GMT fixtures.

Elsewhere, Wimbledon and Wigan are currently goalless, with their League One match getting under way at 18:30 GMT.

Image source, Rex Features

If Wayne Rooney had any honeymoon period at Derby, it's over now.

The Rams are winless in five and haven't scored in four, seeing them slip to 19th and by no means safe from the drop.

Fourth-placed Brentford, meanwhile, recovered from defeat at Norwich with victory against Blackburn, and know they are capable of stringing together a run which could see them snatch that elusive automatic promotion place.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough have seen their rivals pull away from them in their battle for a play-off spot and they face Preston tonight to get back on track.

Neil Warnock has lost his past three matches in the English Football League against Preston, however.

Preston, who are 15th in the table having suffered some inconsistent form of their own this season, are looking to do a league double on Boro for the first time since 1971-72.

Maybe don't count on a draw tonight, folks. After drawing against leaders Norwich in their first game on their travels this term, Preston have drawn none of their 17 league games since.

Image source, Rex Features

Rotherham have played three games fewer than any other side in the division and find themselves three points from safety as they look to play catch-up.

Boss Paul Warne came on for the Millers the first time they beat Watford in the league - a 2-1 victory back in 2003.

The Hornets have won seven of their past eight and are flying in second under Xisco Munoz, but Swansea and Brentford are on their coattails in the promotion race.

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff are hovering around the play-off places as Mick McCarthy looks to continue their reinvigorated form as they welcome Stoke.

Last time around, their 11-game unbeaten run came to an end against Watford and the Bluebirds are yet to lose successive games since McCarthy's arrival.

Stoke come to south Wales on the back of a less than stellar run which has seen them lose four of their past five league games.

Can they end that spell on their travels tonight and consign McCarthy to two losses from two?

Image source, Rex Features

Luton are 16th and 12 points clear of the drop but Nathan Jones' side are looking to avoid losing a third straight Championship game for the first time since January 2020.

Visitors Coventry, meanwhile, are six points further back and still very much in the thick of a relegation battle.

The Sky Blues picked up a crucial 1-0 win over Derby on Saturday and will try to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

And finally, here are tonight's League Two games, all of which get going at 19:00 GMT.

• Cheltenham Town v Barrow
• Crawley Town v Walsall
• Mansfield Town v Carlisle United
• Port Vale v Newport County
• Salford City v Colchester United
• Scunthorpe United v Oldham Athletic

Here are tonight's fixtures in League One. All fixtures get under way at 19:00 GMT unless otherwise stated:

• AFC Wimbledon v Wigan Athletic (18:30 GMT)
• Blackpool v Burton Albion
• Charlton Athletic v Bristol Rovers
• Lincoln City v Gillingham
• MK Dons v Plymouth Argyle
• Oxford United v Doncaster Rovers
• Peterborough United v Portsmouth
• Fleetwood Town v Ipswich Town (19:45 GMT)

All tonight's Championship fixtures get going at 19:00 GMT tonight unless stated:

• Cardiff City v Stoke City
• Derby County v Brentford
• Luton Town v Coventry City
• Middlesbrough v Preston North End
• Rotherham United v Watford
• AFC Bournemouth v Swansea City (19:45 GMT)

Image source, Rex Features

Before we get into the games, it's already been a busy evening for Birmingham, who confirmed the departure of head coach Aitor Karanka at 17:52 GMT and replaced him with ex-Charlton boss Lee Bowyer 15 minutes later.

Bowyer, 44, who resigned from his job with the Addicks on Monday, has signed a deal until June 2023.

Saturday's 3-0 loss to Bristol City was Blues' 12th home defeat of the campaign and left them just three points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Former Birmingham midfielder Bowyer will take charge of their Championship game at home to Reading on Wednesday.

Image source, Rex Features

Welcome to midweek #837 of EFL football this season - well it feels like that sometimes!

We have six Championship games to take you through, five of which get under way in around 15 minutes' time.

Runaway leaders Norwich don't play until Wednesday but promotion contenders Watford, Swansea and Brentford are all in action.