Friday night fixtures
The Championship weekend kicks off with two fixtures on Friday night, with Leeds United’s encounter with Aston Villa to be screened live on Sky Sports football.
Steve Bruce’s side have clambered up the table, sitting fourth after three straight wins, while the hosts sit just outside of the top six following an inconsistent run of recent results.
Both meetings came in December last season, with the Whites running out 2-0 victors at Elland Road — they haven’t lost in any of their last four home meetings with the Villans.
The night’s other game pits second-placed Cardiff City against Norwich City. The Bluebirds will close the gap at the top to one point with victory over the travelling Canaries.
Local affairs
Fresh after the disappointment of throwing away a two-goal lead against West London rivals QPR, Brentford face their other foes — Fulham — on Saturday afternoon.
Derby County and Burton Albion meet in an East Midlands affair, with the Rams looking for a first competitive goal against the visitors.
The Brewers won 1-0 at the Pirelli last term, before a goalless stalemate ensued in the reverse. Bosses Gary Rowett and Nigel Clough have both managed the opposition in the past.
Last but not least, leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to Birmingham City on Monday night. The Blues did their West Midlands rivals a favour by holding Sheffield United to a point last time out, but face a Wolves side on a run of five successive wins.
Around the grounds
Two of last season’s promoted sides meet at the Den, where Millwall play host to high-flying Sheffield United. The other side up, Bolton Wanderers, host a Barnsley side who have suffered three straight defeats without scoring.
Sunderland secured a first win since mid-August last weekend away at Burton and this weekend they host Reading, when they will bid to end their record-breaking run of 20 games without a home triumph.
Bristol City sit fifth after last week’s memorable comeback win at Hull City, and they welcome Middlesbrough to Ashton Gate, while the Tigers are heading to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield Wednesday — it’ll be the club’s first meeting since the 2016 Championship Play-Off Final.
Elsewhere, Ipswich Town entertain Nottingham Forest at Portman Road, and Queens Park Rangers travel to a Preston North End side who have just one win in nine outings.
Sky Bet Championship: Matchday 20 fixtures (3pm kick-off unless stated)
Friday 1st December 2017
Cardiff City v Norwich City
Leeds United v Aston Villa (7:45pm - live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 2nd December 2017
Bolton Wanderers v Barnsley
Brentford v Fulham
Bristol City v Middlesbrough (5:30pm - live on Sky Sports)
Derby County v Burton Albion
Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest
Millwall v Sheffield United
Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday v Hull City
Sunderland v Reading
Monday 4th December 2017
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (7:45pm - live on Sky Sports)
APPOINTMENTS: Click here to see the match officials on duty
Two League One matches are taking place due to these four sides failing to reach Round Two of the FA Cup.
One of those fixtures pits two out-of-form sides, Bristol Rovers and Rotherham United, against each other. The hosts have won just one of their last seven games, while the Millers have failed to pick up three points in any of their last six.
Saturday afternoon’s other game sees Southend United host Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall. Both sides have drawn their last two, and they sit 14th and 17th in the standings going into the weekend.
Sky Bet League One: Weekend fixtures (3pm kick-off)
Saturday 2nd December 2017
Bristol Rovers v Rotherham United
Southend United v Oldham Athletic