Something has to give in the big clash of the day in League Two.

Table-topping Leyton Orient have won seven of their nine home games this season, keeping seven clean sheets and conceding only four goals at Brisbane Road.

Visitors Bradford have won six of their last seven on the road and would go fourth if they avoid defeat.

For at least half an hour, that is, Carlisle are waiting to pounce should the Bantams not win, sat only a point behind and hosting Sutton, sat 18th, at 13:00.

At the other end Gillngham will seek to add to their six goals in 19 league games at home to play-off chasing Salford City while AFC Wimledon welcome Grimsby with both sides seeking to climb out of mid-table.

Image source, Getty Images

This return to action, albeit slightly impromptu for both Sunderland and Millwall, does give players a chance to get the taste for competitive action again during the World Cup break.

Take Millwall, whose boss Gary Rowett hopes they can get back into the form - five wins and just one loss in nine - they showed before stepping aside.

"It doesn't feel like we've been out of the mix and out of the rhythm too long," Rowett told BBC Radio London.

"But, again, a real game and a Championship game is completely different to a friendly.

"I'm happy with how it's gone, and we'll see how we fare once we return."

Prokofiev's 'Dance of the Knights' is on a rolling loop over the PA system here at the Stadium of Light.

It certainly gets you in the mood.

Now it's Republica 'Ready to Go' as the teams hit the turf.

Image source, Getty Images

Home form has been a difficulty for Sunderland of late, with defeats by Cardiff and Burnley here at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats' hopes of turning that quirk around rest on getting the better of a Millwall side who have made brisk, direct attacking football their trademark.

There will plenty for the likes of Lynden Gooch - pictured - to do this afternoon to stop them.

"Millwall are a hugely competitive football team," Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle. "They are really dangerous from set-plays and get a lot of bodies in the box.

"They're a threat from every set-piece, so we know the threat and there's no guarantee we're going to win but we've prepared and we're ready. Let's go and play like we play.

"I'm sure they'll be aware of our potential strengths and we've got to try to bring them at the weekend."

The enforced break has given players and staff time to reflect and to get some rare time with families during what would normally be the thick of the season.

Millwall boss Gary Rowett is no different.

"The players getting a breather in the Championship I think you have to accept and embrace it and get what you need out of it," he told BBC Radio London.

"Most of the lads have had a little break away with their families or loved ones, which is important in the middle of the season.

"But we've also trained really hard; it doesn't necessarily mean we're going to put in an incredible performance against Sunderland, but it certainly means we're going to be ready.

"That's our aim and what we're going to try to achieve."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Given the recent dip in temperatures in the north east, Sunderland wisely took the chance to pop off to Dubai to get some sun on the backs and prepare them for the return to action.

For boss Tony Mowbray, who joined midseason, it was also a chance to get to know his squad on a different level away from the paddock.

"It was good to be around the whole group, for the whole period of time, and get to know their personalities better," Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It was also good to have a laugh and when we went out for dinner one night, to see some of the dodgy gear that some of them wear.

"It's quite interesting, to see the ripped jeans and dodgy hoodies that some of them had on."

Sunderland: Patterson, Gooch, O'Nien, Batth, Alese, Evans,

Neil, Diallo, Pritchard, Clarke, Simms.

Subs: Cirkin, Dajaku, Embleton, Roberts, Bass, Ba, Hume.

Millwall: Long, McNamara, Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace, Mitchell,Saville, Voglsammer, Flemming, Honeyman, Bradshaw.

Subs: Hutchinson, Evans, Malone, Shackleton, Styles, Bennett,Bialkowski.

Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex)

Welcome then, on this chilly afternoon in early December.

Our main focus is at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland versus Millwall, but there is also plenty going on in Leagues One and Two.

Let's crack on with the team news from the Championship.

The World Cup in Qatar might still be on but that doesn't mean domestic football has taken a complete back seat.

Sunderland and Millwall have managed to squeeze a Championship encounter into the 'break' period, while there are also five League One games and nine in League Two.

We're at the Stadium of Light for the lunchtime action while we'll also bring you the best of the early kick-offs from the bottom two divisions of the EFL.