Championship Preview
Birmingham v Middlesborough (KO 15:00 Saturday)
After sharing the points with Doncaster on Tuesday, Birmingham boss Lee Clark finds his side no closer to the top half of the table, despite picking up eight points from their last five games.
The ever-present Tom Adeyemi is a doubt for tomorrow's match, when they entertain a stuttering Middlesborough at St Andrews, after suffering a knock against the Vikings.
In better news, dominant centre-back Kyle Bartley could return after recovering from a hamstring injury. Whilst the influential Chris Burke, along with Wade Elliott, Andy Shinnie, Shane Ferguson and Dariusz Dudka are also in contention.
A weakened Middlesborough can welcome skipper Grant Leadbitter back from suspension, after missing his sides 1-0 defeat at Derby in midweek. However, striker Curtis Main and keeper Jason Steele are both missing through suspensions of their own.
In the Blues' favour, experienced centre-back Jonathan Woodgate (back), as well as full-back's George Friend and Stuart Parnaby (both knee) are unlikely to take part.
Derby v Blackpool (KO 12:45 Saturday)
Taking their first bow under the newly-named iPro Stadium, a Rams side rejuvenated by Steve McClaren, take on a Blackpool side that are in reverse.
After a lacklustre start to their campaign, which saw Nigel Clough lose his job, Derby go looking for what would be a fifth league win on the bounce to keep them fourth in the table.
McClaren is likely to name an unchanged squad, with no new injury concerns. Striker Conor Sammon will be hoping to have earned a starting berth though, after coming off the bench to score a ninetieth minute winner against Middlesborough on Wednesday.
The Seasiders won't exactly be riding the crest of a wave into Derby tomorrow morning, following a run which has seen them slip below their hosts, picking up just fifteen points from a possible thirty-six.
In light of Paul Ince's five match suspension earlier this season, his players look to be following suit, with defenders Gary MacKenzie and Kirk Broadfoot, along with dangerous front-man Ricardo Fuller all serving suspensions.
Ince will be hoping that defender Craig Cathcart passes a late fitness test, if the Tangerines are to halt the Ram's charge.
Brighton v Leicester (KO 15:00 Saturday)
Nigel Pearson's Leicester City remain top of the Championship table, despite missing the opportunity to go three points clear in midweek, when they lost to lowly Sheffield Wednesday.
After a disappointing visit to Hillsborough on Tuesday, the Foxes boss could choose to ring the changes, as right-back Ritchie De Laet nears a return to the squad after almost two months with a shin injury.
In midfield, Dean Hammond will be itching to play against his former employers, while the influential Andy King is also in contention, along with strikers Jeffrey Schlupp, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Chris Wood.
Still not available for selection though, are Sean St. Ledger (groin) and young striker Tom Hopper (shin).
Brighton could be buoyed by the return of prolific Argentinian frontman, Leonardo Ulloa, for the visit of the league-leaders. After scoring 18 goals in 28 games since signing in January, he is available again after two months out with a foot injury.
Attackers Will Hoskins (knee) and Craig Mackail-Smith (Achilles), are the only definite absentees from a Seagulls side searching for only their fourth win in ten games, after enduring an indifferent run of form.
Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest (KO 15:00 Saturday)
Nottingham Forest have struggled to match their early season form of late. They take on an Owls side manager-less, but boosted, by an inspired win over Forest's midlands rivals Leicester City in midweek.
Billy Davies will be wary of Wednesday after watching their Tuesday night upset, but will be keen to push for only a second win in eight games as they enter the challenging Christmas period.
Jamaal Lascelles should be back in contention for the Reds, whilst Darius Henderson could also be available for the clash at Hillsborough. Also in the reckoning, is Sunderland loanee David Vaughan, after missing three matches with a hamstring injury.
Despite their win over the league-leaders, the Owls sit dangerously in the relegation zone and will be looking to fly up the table as quickly as possible.
Midfielder Giles Coke is likely to miss the encounter with a hamstring injury; Jose Semedo and Stephen McPhail could deputise if he has to sit it out. Defender Lewis Buxton is battling for fitness after injury.