For fans of nostalgia, this is the first league meeting between the sides at Ewood Park since October 1981.

That one ended goalless. Let's hope history chooses not to repeat itself this afternoon.

Here comes our first action of 2026.

A new year brings with it fresh hope.

With all 24 Championship clubs in action today, get in touch throughout the afternoon and evening - we're here for pretty much the next eight hours - to let us know what you hope 2026 has in store for your club.

And of course we'd love to hear your opinions on today's games as they progress - use any of the contact methods outlined above, including our shiny yellow button right here on this page.

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Less than 72 hours ago, the Championship continued to deliver more unpredictable headlines.

Leicester City picked up a much-needed victory at home to East Midlands rivals Derby County to get back into the top half of the Championship standings.

Elsewhere, Coventry City lost at home for the first time this season to a revitalised Ipswich while second-placed Middlesbrough missed the chance to close the gap on the table-topping Sky Blues as they lost at home to Hull City.

Portsmouth bagged themselves a big three points with a last-gasp victory over fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic at Fratton Park and Watford climbed into the top-six with a last-minute win away at Norwich City.

Catch up with all of Monday's reports here.

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Now that we are in January 2026, it means the winter window is officially open and with that in mind, who do your club need to sign?

BBC Sport have got the expert views from members of the local radio teams covering each Championship club, and you can let us know if you agree with what they said.

A new striker, depth in the midfield or do they need to strengthen the back-line?

Click here to read this extended piece compiled by James Piercy.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales

Wrexham come into today's match having won back-to-back league games for the first time this season by beating Sheffield United and Preston North End after Christmas.

But they are winless away in the league in eight matches.

They are also without their two top scorers Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass - who have scored a combined 17 Championship goals this season.

That said, Rovers have won just one of their past eight league matches and only one of their past five in the Championship at Ewood Park.

A tough one to call today.

BBC Local Radio

Unfortunately, rights restrictions mean we are unable to bring you live online radio commentary from today's games.

But, fear not, we will bring you the best of their punditry in text form on this page.

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael has named an unchanged XI from that which started the goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Monday as Rovers look to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

That means there will be a 100th Rovers start for midfielder Ryan Hedges.

Wrexham make five changes from the side which beat Preston last time out.

Defender Max Cleworth, midfielder Ben Sheaf, and forward Nathan Broadhead drop to the bench, while Josh Windass and Kieffer Moore are not in the squad.

In come Dan Scarr, George Dobson, Lewis O'Brien, Oliver Rathbone and Sam Smith.

Blackburn: Pears, Litherland, Miller, McLoughlin, Pratt, Hedges, Tronstad, Baradji, Cantwell, Henriksson, Ohashi.

Subs: Toth, Pickering, Ribeiro, Gardner-Hickman, De Neve, Atcheson, Powell, Doherty, Dlamini.

Wrexham: Arthur Okonkwo, Scarr, Hyam, Doyle, Thomason, Dobson, M. James, Longman, O’Brien, Rathbone, Smith.

Subs: Burton, Coady, Cleworth, Cacace, Barnett, Sheaf, Ashfield, Rodriguez, Broadhead.

Image source, Getty Images

You'd forgive Wrexham supporters for waking up on New Year's Day full of hope and optimism for the second half of the season.

Just three years ago they were contemplating a new year trip to Solihull Moors, and today they sit handily placed mid-table in the second tier, just one promotion away from the Premier League.

The Red Dragons overcame a sticky spell before Christmas with back-to-back home wins over the festive period, banging in seven goals, to sit just four points outside the play-off spots. Surely not?

While consolidation in the Championship would suit most supporters just fine, any hopes for more Hollywood magic this season will demand an improvement in away form. They are without a league win on the road in eight matches.

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Blackburn Rovers head into 2026 looking over their shoulders rather than up at the stars as they hold a less than comfortable five-point buffer above the relegation spots after a run of just one win in eight league matches.

It’s at Ewood Park where 19th-placed Blackburn have toiled this season, picking up just two wins from 11 matches on home soil, although one of those rare gems did come last time out against Millwall.

And if we’re looking for further Rovers reasons for optimism as the new year ticks around, Valerien Ismael’s side have kept three successive clean sheets.

They followed a highly creditable goalless draw away to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on Boxing Day with a less impressive stalemate at bottom side Sheffield Wednesday. So maybe don't pin your hopes on a hatful of goals today.

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Chances are your social diary may have limited your usual deep dive into the latest EFL news and permutations, but help is at hand.

Catch up in double-quick time on what's at stake in the biggest EFL fixtures of the day in our latest Five Things in the EFL preview.

Here is a first look at the Championship table as we enter 2026.

Wonder what Frank Lampard and his Sky Blues will have been setting as their new year's resolutions last night?

They have undoubtedly been the best side in the second tier so far this campaign and have played some tremendous football.

The rest of the table is very competitive with just 10 points separating third from 16th. Bristol City and Preston North End will be eyeing those top-six places and know that wins today could see them jump into the play-off positions if results go their way.

At the foot of the division, Oxford could jump out the bottom three if they win and Portsmouth lose today, while Charlton and Blackburn will be hoping the Blues are defeated at Ashton Gate to avoid being dragged into the fight right above the drop zone.

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Well let's have a look at the fixture list for today and what we have in store across TWELVE games in the Championship.

• Blackburn Rovers v Wrexham (12:30 GMT)
• Bristol City v Portsmouth
• Charlton Athletic v Coventry City
• Derby County v Middlesbrough
• Hull City v Stoke City
• Ipswich Town v Oxford United
• Preston North End v Sheffield Wednesday
• Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City
• Southampton v Millwall
• Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
• Watford v Birmingham City
• Sheffield United v Leicester City (17:30 GMT)

Image source, PA Media

Happy New Year to you all from everyone at BBC Sport!

All 24 Championship clubs are in action today hoping to keep their new year's resolutions and start 2026 with three brand new points.

Today's action includes the league leaders heading to the capital, second-placed Middlesbrough facing a tricky test in the Midlands, while an in-form Wrexham kick us off in Lancashire this lunchtime.

Without further ado, let's crack on...