Wigan's survival hopes were dealt a heavy blow during the international break when they were deducted three points for failing to pay their players on time for the fourth time in 12 months.

The wages have now thankfully been paid and Latics gaffer Shaun Maloney has said he has been "assured" there will be no further issues by the club's owners.

The deduction means they're now eight points adrift of safety, having played a game more than 21st-placed Cardiff.

Today's visitors QPR are six points above the drop zone but their rotten run of form means they could very well get pulled into the bottom three yet.

Image source, Rex Features

It’s been 364 long days since Swansea swept into Cardiff and made off with the three points and a 4-0 victory.

The Bluebirds have lost the past three derbies by an aggregate score of 9-0 and will be desperate to arrest that slide this afternoon, not least to pull themselves away from the Championship drop-zone.

Cardiff are unbeaten in three at home and Swansea are no great shakes on the road at the moment, winning just one of their last 13 away league games, but of course, this is a game like no other.

These sides might be separated by just three points, but on paper there looks to only one winner here.

The Robins are unbeaten in six Championship games at Ashton Gate whereas Paul Ince’s Reading had lost four straight league games before their 1-1 draw at home to Hull.

The Royals have lost six straight on their travels in the Championship, scoring just one goal and shipping 14.

Reading want quick points to put distance between themselves and the drop-zone, but can they halt their slide here?

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry are looking to secure a first ever play-off finish in the second tier.

The Sky Blues will go into this clash with improving Stoke full of confidence as they look to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

The Potters, unbeaten in four themselves, are looking to take momentum into next season after a poor start to the campaign.

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall have strung together a play-off run under Gary Rowett this term and come back into the league following the international break in fine form.

The sixth-placed Lions beat Sheffield United and drew with leaders Burnley just before the break, but also lost to Huddersfield.

They travel to West Brom today who are still in the play-off mix and only five points behind the top six.

Carlos Corberan's Baggies have a game in hand on the three teams above them and today's game could be pivotal for their season.

Blackburn travel to Birmingham with their hopes of sealing a play-off place still in tact.

Rovers have been inconsistent at times under Jon Dahl Tomasson but have been in decent form of late.

They have won six of their past eight games in all competitions coming into the trip to St Andrew's.

Birmingham have won two of their past three but have different aspirations for the end-of-season run-in at the opposite end of the table but could move as high as 13th with victory today.

Image source, Rex Features

Two teams in desperate need of points but for very different reasons.

Huddersfield gave their flagging survival hopes a shot in the arm with a surprise 1-0 win at play-off hopefuls Millwall last time out.

Middlesbrough closed the gap on second-placed Sheffield United to three points, albeit having played a game more, with a thumping 4-0 victory over Blackpool before the international break.

Both teams have made two changes from their last outings, with Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey coming back in to midfield for Boro and Danny Ward starting up top for Town.

Image source, Rex Features

These pair were promoted from the Championship together back in 2018-19 and they could yet both go up this season.

However, the Canaries will need a strong showing in the final eight games of the season if they're to pinch a play-off place.

In contrast, visitors Sheffield United have their promotion destiny firmly in their own hands.

They're three points above Middlesbrough with a game in hand but with four defeats from their past seven games the FA Cup semi-finalists can ill-afford another slip up today.

Paul Heckingbottom has gone with the same XI who started the FA Cup quarter final win over Blackburn last time out.

Image source, Rex Features

Now that the early action in the Championship is wrapped up we'll turn our attention to our nine 15:00 BST games in the second tier, plus the action in Leagues One and Two.

Here's what's on the slate in the Championship:

• Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers
• Bristol City v Reading
• Cardiff City v Swansea City
• Coventry City v Stoke City
• Huddersfield Town v Middlesbrough
• Hull City v Rotherham United
• Norwich City v Sheffield United
• West Bromwich Albion v Millwall
• Wigan Athletic v Queens Park Rangers

Derek Payne
Former Watford midfielder on BBC Three Counties Radio

You can have bad days in football but it's happened too many times this season from a Watford point of view.

It's the manner of the defeat. Luton are an honest side, they gave everything and that was lacking from Watford.

Luton thoroughly deserved the three points.

Leon Barnett
Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

It was always going to be a physical battle and Luton seemed to want it more. They are deserved 2-0 winners.

Watford didn't seem to be up for the fight.

Image source, PA Media

Luton don't just win 1-0 then. They have thoroughly outclassed their local rivals this afternoon, Watford didn't put up much of a fight, if truth be told.

Gabriel Osho and Allan Campbell are the names which will go down in Hatters folklore. They have seven games remaining to try and close a three point gap to the top-two and secure something even more memorable.

Josh Smith is called into action to cool down some frayed tempers... Luton's fans are incessant and Watford's players are frustrated. No cards, just whistles and words. Game restarts.

Brett Ormerod
Former Blackpool striker on BBC Radio Lancashire

It's Preston's day today. As soon as the first goal went in they were magnificent. They didn't give Blackpool any space.

In the second half they dropped off but hit Blackpool on the break and the third goal made it game over.

To be fair to Blackpool, they kept going but it was too late in the day. You can't take it away from Preston, they were the better team on the day and deserved winners.

Leon Barnett
Former Luton defender on BBC Three Counties Radio

Watford's defending of set-pieces has not been good enough and Luton have capitalised.

Luton have played really well and deserve their 2-0 lead.

They call this the M1 derby but if they're grading referee Josh Smith it would surely be an A1. He's been consistent throughout and set the tone in the early stages.

In a cauldron like this it's one of the best refereeing performances you could ask to see.

Four additional minutes to be negotiated by Luton.

Preston see out victory. There was no late spirited Blackpool comeback in the end.

A comfortable performance throughout after a frantic start, Preston keep their play-off hopes alive courtesy of a Brad Potts volley, a stunning Ben Whiteman free-kick and Tom Cannon's counter-attacking goal.

Blackpool didn't play poorly by any means and gained a late consolation through Jerry Yates, but defeat leaves Mick McCarthy's side in deep trouble and four points adrift and possibly more by the day's end.