Image source, PA Media

Give the players who lost on Wednesday first chance to impress? Forget it!

Neil Warnock has made SEVEN changes to the Huddersfield team beaten 3-0 at Stoke.

Anyone would think he has been doing this management lark for more than 40 years!

Rob Law
Squad Goals

It’s the battle at the bottom for my game of the day in League Two. Rochdale are in desperate need of a lifeline and the form book doesn’t make for good reading. No win in six, sitting five points from safety at the foot of the EFL. It’s not over yet for Rochdale and there have been signs of life with an impressive point against promotion hopefuls Northampton last Saturday. That being said, consistency is key and any turnaround needs to start soon or they risk being cut further adrift, it’s vital they get something today.

In contrast, Gillingham have completed step one of their great escape by edging themselves out of the relegation zone with just one defeat in their last six. The new signings have been welcomed with open arms and there’s a feel good factor back at the club. I was at Gillingham v Hartlepool back in January and it felt like the Gills' season truly started that day, but the job isn’t done yet. They sit a point and two places above the bottom two.

There's one 'early' game in League Two, with Northampton v Grimsby having kicked off at 14:00 GMT. Will Hoskins' goal has the home side in front at half-time.

Salford against Swindon might be one of the most competitive League Two match-ups this afternoon with both teams in position for a charge at the play-off spots.

In-form Bradford have only lost one game so far this year and a win over a struggling Barrow side, who have one win since mid-November, could thrust them into the league's top five.

AFC Wimbledon will be hoping to take advantage of a poor Hartlepool side to push closer to the play-off places. But the Dons struggle to score and Pools will know a win could lift them out of the relegation places.

In the battle of the basement, Rochdale entertain Gillingham, with both sides knowing a win would seriously improve their chances of League Two survival.

And league leaders Leyton Orient might have a gimme on their hands. They host relegation battlers Crawley.

• Northampton Town 1-0 Grimsby Town
• AFC Wimbledon v Hartlepool United
• Bradford City v Barrow
• Carlisle United v Colchester United
• Harrogate Town v Crewe Alexandra
• Leyton Orient v Crawley Town
• Rochdale v Gillingham
• Salford City v Swindon Town
• Stockport County v Stevenage
• Sutton United v Doncaster Rovers
• Tranmere Rovers v Mansfield Town
• Walsall v Newport County

Joe Thompson
Former Rochdale and Tranmere midfielder on Squad Goals

Derby manager Paul Warne has called for his side to take more risks after a disappointing week. The Rams had gone on a terrific 15-game unbeaten run, prior to last weekend’s 3- 2 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers before playing out a frustrating 1-1 draw against Lincoln City in midweek.

But the home side will be looking to return to winning ways, hoping to recapture that fantastic form and really cement their place in the play-off positions.

The visitors Charlton Athletic on the other hand are one of League Ones in-form teams. The Addicks have been playing some impressive football since the appointment of Dean Holden at the end of 2022. Holden’s men have won their last three away matches and will be looking to take the game to the home side.

The two managers in the technical area have a great relationship and genuine respect for one another. But friendships go out the window come 3pm at Pride Park.

These two exciting and attacking teams are set to go to toe. But who’s going to come away with those all-important three points?

Image source, Rex Features

Play-off chasing Wycombe host an in-form Bolton side who are doing all they can to hunt down one of League One's automatic promotion spots. Both teams have the quality to score goals in bunches.

A mid-table clash between Port Vale and Exeter City could go either way with both sides struggling for consistency and any chance of snagging a play-off place hanging by a thread.

Another mid-table romp between Lincoln City and Portsmouth should be competitive. The Imps are undefeated in their last five. Pompey have three wins from seven since new head coach John Mousinho took over.

Third-placed Derby County could only manage a draw against 10-man Lincoln City midweek and know a win is needed to give them them a little extra breathing room from the chasing pack. Charlton Athletic are still in the play-off hunt but their form is a little up and down so far in 2023.

And an in-form Barnsley side could solidify their place in League One's top six with a win over an unremarkable Cheltenham that has one league win so far this year.

• Accrington Stanley v Shrewsbury Town
• Bristol Rovers v Burton Albion
• Cambridge United v Oxford United
• Cheltenham Town v Barnsley
• Derby County v Charlton Athletic
• Ipswich Town v Forest Green Rovers
• Lincoln City v Portsmouth
• Morecambe v Peterborough United
• Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town
• Port Vale v Exeter City
• Sheffield Wednesday v Milton Keynes Dons
• Wycombe Wanderers v Bolton Wanderers

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn look to continue their impressive home form when they host an unpredictable Swansea side, with both teams still in the hunt for a play-off place. Rovers have seven wins, one draw and only two losses in their last 10 matches at Ewood Park. The Swans have only one win from their last 10 away.

Blackpool are undefeated at home in 2023 but face a stiff challenge when they welcome a decent Stoke side to Bloomfield Road. A win could lift the Tangerines off the bottom of the table.

Expect a battle when Hull City welcome Preston to the MKM Stadium. Both mid-table sides have the same points tally and can't afford any slip-ups if they're to keep their play-off hopes alive. The Tigers are solid at home but North End also have one of the best away records in the Championship.

Rotherham look to get back on track after their four game unbeaten run was brought to an end midweek. Their opponents Coventry are one of the Championship's lowest scoring teams, but know a win could thrust them into the league's top 10.

And sixth-placed Sunderland have only lost two league games in their last 10 and will want to extend their cushion over the play-off chasing pack. Bristol City have upped their game in 2023 and could upset the apple cart in this one.

Robert Earnshaw
Former Nottingham Forest and Cardiff striker on Squad Goals

My game of the day sees a rejuvenated Middlesbrough host QPR - who are without a win since before Christmas - leaving some pressure on manager Neil Critchley.

Meanwhile, Boro are flying under Michael Carrick and were really impressive again in midweek with a huge win over Sheffield United as they close in on an automatic promotion place. It will really put the pressure on the Blades if they slip up against Millwall in the early kick-off.

A win today would make it five on the bounce for Boro, with a packed out Riverside Stadium cheering them on.

Burnley's bid to secure a club record 11th successive league win was thwarted on Tuesday night when they needed a last-minute equaliser to salvage a point at home to Watford.

No matter, the Clarets are still 15 points clear of third, with a game in hand and promotion back to the Premier League still feels like a formality.

Boss Vincent Kompany won't stand for a slip in standards though and he'll expect his men to hit the winning trail once more at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

It wont be straightforward though, Rob Edwards' side are riding high in fourth themselves and, admittedly under old gaffer Nathan Jones, claimed a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor at the start of the season.

Image source, Rex Features

Shaun Maloney is only three games into his spell as Wigan Athletic manager but a return of five points hints that the Latics are made of sterner stuff than during Kolo Toure's brief reign.

Wigan were looking dead certs for an immediate return to League One, but Maloney's arrival is pulling everyone together.

That is no surprise given that Maloney is one of the 2013 FA Cup winning-team, as well as a key player that somehow avoided Premier League relegation in 2012 with late season wins over Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal - amongst others.

Norwich have won only one of their six trips to the DW Stadium and they somehow need to find a consistent run if they are going to make the play-offs.

With home games against Birmingham and Cardiff to come this week, the Canaries will regard this as a real opportunity to build some momentum.

I think a lot of us probably took Neil Warnock's retirement last April with just a pinch of salt and so it has proved as the 74-year-old came out of retirement to take over at beleaguered Huddersfield.

The Terriers are marooned in the bottom three and Warnock, whose previous spell with the club saw them promoted to the second tier back in 1995, is their third manager of the season.

The veteran gaffer curtailed a holiday in America to take the job and acknowledged that he was "mad" to take the gig given their circumstances.

They host a Birmingham side who slipped to a 2-0 home reverse by Cardiff in midweek and still have some lingering relegation fears of their own.

And where better place to start the build-up to our 3pm kick-offs than with the return of a man synonymous with EFL football...

Well, what a start to the EFL day that was!

But no time to dwell - we've got a load more coming up, so here are Adam Lanigan, Luke de Costa, Claire Gould and Chris Harby to help me take you through it...

Like this if you're a Middlesbrough fan who thinks their side can finish second now...

A win for Boro against QPR will take them to four points off the second-placed Blades

Image source, PA Media

Tom Bradshaw's hat-trick consigns Sheffield United to a second successive defeat after a truly enthralling encounter.

Surely one of the Championship games of the season so far.

Bradshaw opened the scoring early on and then Tonny Doyle levelled with a long-range free-kick before the break.

Bradshaw scored again after the home side weather some real Blades pressure before sub James McAtee equalised for the away side once again.

With the game toing and froing, Bradshaw popped up to win it with a close range tap in.

The Lions go fifth and the Blades could see their gap over third-placed Middlesbrough cut to four points by 5pm...

Millwall sub George Honeyman is booked for a cynical foul on halfway.

George Evans is on for the final few moments for Zian Flemming for the home side.

Jack Robinson is booked for his part in the fracas.

The Blades defender shoved a Millwall player to the ground.

It's all kicking off!

Big confrontation after a Blades corner.

Five minutes of time added on...

Andreas Voglsammer and hat-trick hero Tom Bradshaw are off.

Scott Malone and Duncan Watmore, on loan from Middlesbrough, are on.