Louis Reed has put visitors Swindon into something of a surprise lead against Barrow at Holker Street, converting from the spot after keeper Paul Farman brought down Jacob Wakeling in the box.

Not much doing at the moment at Ashton Gate, which is under a blanket of cloud with some sunny spells burning through.

Temperatures up to five degrees today after some Baltic conditions in the week.

Maybe I'm being impatient but it would be nice of the game could hot up a little too.

Some early pressure from the hosts.

First a shout for a penalty after a stiff challenge from Blackpool defender Callum Connolly. Nothing coming from the referee.

Ryan Wintle then lets fly with the first shot of the game.

Crisp strike from 25 yards out but straight at Blackpool goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.

Both sides looking to get forward in the opening stages.

West Brom have given a start to USA international striker Daryl Dike after he came off the bench to score the winner at Sunderland on Monday.

It's just his second start for the Baggies since joining in January, because of injuries.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Warne is feeling pretty smug right now... he made one change to the side at home to Forest Green, bringing in Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and it is the winger who works himself some space on the right of the area and curls a left-footed shot across goal and into the bottom corner to give the Rams the perfect start.

Huddersfield forward Danny Ward hits a low shot past the post from just outside the area.

Sanny Rudravajhala
Presenter, Squad Goals

Its two weeks since Orient’s last game - where they comfortably beat Bradford City 3-0 at Brisbane Road. The manner of the goals showed a swagger and confidence for Richie Wellens' side that has seen them only lose only twice this season as they sit top of the pile.

They have a game in hand over second-placed Stevenage and with every other game bar Barrow v Swindon called off today, they can move seven clear in pole position.

Paul Smyth’s eight goals have been instrumental but Charlie Kelman returning to the goals against the Bantams was another welcome sight for the home fans.

After the highs of last season, Matt Gray’s Sutton have come back to earth with a bump. Their form at Gander Green Lane would put them in the play-offs but it’s their away showings that have let them down, so I’m a little worried for them today.

They created a host of chances against strugglers Colchester United in their 1-0 victory last weekend and come into this unbeaten in three league games. Will Randall is Sutton’s top scorer with five this season but it’s at the other end where the Us will have to be at their best.

Joe Thompson
Former Rochdale and Tranmere midfielder on Squad Goals

Derby come into this unbeaten in their last seven but with only two wins in all that time.

Five draws, including last week’s 1-1 result against Burton Albion, shows Paul Warne’s side are certainly difficult to beat.

Don’t be fooled by Forest Green’s position in the table. They may sit 21st in the table but they last lost in the league back in November against Wycombe and beat Cheltenham in the Gloucestershire derby 1-0 last time out.

A win for Derby, given the games that have been called off, can push them into the play-off positions, whereas three points for the away side could see them out of the relegation zone.

Simon Mahon
Squad Goals

Image source, PA Media

There are nine Premier League titles between the managers in this one as two of the most in-form sides in the division come face to face.

Top-of-the-table Burnley have been flying under Vincent Kompany, scoring at least three goals in each of their past five games and beating QPR last week as the Championship returned from a World Cup break.

They are, however, missing exciting winger Anass Zaroury who is still with the Morocco World Cup squad.

Michael Carrick has made a great start at Middlesbrough and is undefeated since losing his first game in charge away at Preston at the end of October.

Matt Crooks scored a stoppage-time winner as they came from behind to beat Luton last weekend.

A fourth straight win for Boro today would bring much more joy to my Middlesbrough-supporting wife than any Christmas present I've got planned, while leading the Championship on Christmas Day would be top of many Burnley fans' list to Santa.

Burnley have won their past five at Turf Moor. Will they be able to keep their ho-ho-home form up over the festive period?

We're off and running across the leagues on this frightfully cold Saturday.

Let's hope the football can warm the hardy souls who have made it to the grounds.

Wherever you're following us from, we'll do our best to keep you across all of the action.

Image source, Rex Features

Only two League Two games have beaten the big freeze, but they promise to provide some red-hot entertainment.

Leyton Orient can extend their lead at the top to seven points with victory at home to Sutton in the London derby.

A congested table sees only four points separating fourth from 12th, meaning Swindon, in eighth, could jump into the top-four if they win at Barrow in the day’s only other game.

It won’t be easy, however, if the Bluebirds win today it’ll be five straight league victories, their best run since 1968.

Cheltenham v Lincoln, Fleetwood v Cambridge, Peterborough v Shrewsbury and Port Vale v Accrington are all off because of frozen pitches.

That leaves eight games that do go ahead.

New leaders Ipswich head to play-off chasing Wycombe, who have never previously beaten the Tractor Boys in four EFL meetings.

Waiting to pounce on any slip-ups are Plymouth, a point back in second, who host rock-bottom Morecambe while third-placed Sheffield Wednesday, another two points adrift, are at home to Oxford.

Barnsley have games in hand on the top-three and are at home to Burton but, if they slip up, Bolton can go fourth with a win at home to Exeter.

Derby can return to the play-off places with victory against Forest Green at Pride Park while Portsmouth will be looking to do the same as they host managerless MK Dons, who are only off the foot of the table on goal difference.

In the only other game to beat the weather, in-form Bristol Rovers will be seeking to end a 20-match winless run at The Valley against Charlton - a run that dates back to March 1958.

Image source, Rex Features

The EFL weekend action got under way on Friday as Birmingham held out for a 3-2 win over Reading in the Championship.

The in-form Blues raced into a three-goal half-time lead thanks to a double from skipper Troy Deeney and one from Tahith Chong.

The Royals dug in and got late goals back through Lucas Joao and Tom Ince but it was not enough to spoil the home team's party on a night when England midfielder Jude Bellingham returned to St Andrew's for the first time since leaving for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020.

You can read the report from that game by clicking here.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

Bristol City are unbeaten through three games and on their best run of form since the end of August as they face a Stoke side who are yet to find any balance so far this Championship season and continue to flip-flop between wins, losses and draws.

Coventry are a side who have been steadily improving as the season has gone on and have secured four wins from their last five matches. They host Swansea, who have started to fade a little after a strong start to the season.

Hull face Sunderland off the back of a hard-earned draw against Watford last time. The pair of friendlies they had during the World Cup break could work wonders for them. Sunderland will be looking to bounce back from their loss to West Brom, who brought their three game win streak to an end.

West Brom have the upper hand on Rotherham in the form guide but the pair are level on points in the bottom half. Rotherham will be looking to bounce back after getting battered by Bristol City last weekend.

It's been a difficult campaign for Cardiff so far and they sit only a point outside the bottom three.

Their season has taken a further turn with that news of a transfer embargo being imposed.

They returned to the league with a 2-2 draw at Stoke last weekend but a blue Christmas looms with the Bluebirds looking over their shoulders.

But it could be worse, as Blackpool prove, second-bottom of the table.

They needed the World Cup break after four straight defeats and drew 0-0 at home to Birmingham on their return.

Image source, Getty Images

Preston are finding their stride at the right time. They have won four of their last five games and scored 11 goals in the process. Ryan Lowe's side will be full of confidence after their 4-1 battering of Blackburn last weekend thanks to another brace from striker Ched Evans, who seems to have found his shooting boots.

QPR need to stop the rot if they are to cling on to any hope of making the play-offs. They've earned just one point from their last six games. The former Aston Villa assistant coach Neil Critchley takes the reins for his first match in charge following the departure of Michael Beale to Rangers.

North End enter the game with the upper hand on paper. But despite the stats and storylines, with temperatures down to nearly freezing at Deepdale this afternoon, expect a battle from start to finish.

Image source, Rex Features

Whatever happens today Huddersfield will spend Christmas Day at the foot of the Championship table.

The Terriers, beaten play-off finalists last season, have won just five of their 21 matches so far this campaign and start the day six points adrift of safety.

Visitors Watford, who welcomed former West ham defender Julian Dicks to their coaching staff this week, have drawn their previous two matches 0-0.

The Hornets welcome back Senegal international forward Ismaila Sarr after he missed the 0-0 draw with Hull on Sunday, after taking a break following his World Cup exploits.

Image source, Rex Features

With second-placed Sheffield United not playing until Monday there is a chance for Burnley to move further clear at the top of the Championship.

Their advantage is three points at the start of the day as they welcome Middlesbrough to Turf Moor.

The Clarets were quickly back into their grove last week, returning with a 3-0 win at QPR and are fancied today - having not lost any of their 11 home games this season.

But they have been held to four draws and that, and their good form, will give Middlesbrough hope.

A 2-1 win at home to Luton last Saturday resumed Boro's campaign, making it a third straight win in the league.

Cardiff are just about to take to the field but the Bluebirds have just confirmed they are under a transfer embargo after their failure to pay the first instalment of the £15m transfer fee to French club Nantes for the purchase of Emiliano Sala.

Cardiff lost their appeal against a ruling by Fifa to pay the first instalment of Sala's £15m transfer fee to Nantes.

Argentine striker Sala died in a plane crash over the English channel in January 2019 while travelling from France to join his new club.

• Barrow v Swindon Town

• Leyton Orient v Sutton United