The Championship’s second place side Brighton have the chance to go top of the division this evening when they entertain struggling Birmingham City at the AMEX Stadium.

Chris Hughton’s men will look to put the pressure on leaders Newcastle, who face Burton on Wednesday, by getting all three points against Gianfranco Zola’s side this evening, and it would also take them 12 points clear of Huddersfield in third, with the Terriers also in action on Wednesday.

However, David Wagner’s side could be fourth by the time they kick off against Norwich, given that Jaap Stam’s Reading could go above the Yorkshire side should they beat third-bottom Blackburn Rovers at the Madejski Stadium.

Fifth place Leeds will look to get back to winning ways when they visit Brentford, while sixth place Fulham face a tricky trip to Gary Rowett’s Derby County, who currently sit tenth in the league table.

At the bottom, 23rd place Wigan visit Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town, while there’s a hugely significant encounter at Molineux as 16th place Wolves entertain 20th place Nottingham Forest, the latter sitting just two points clear of danger with only seven games to go.

Thus, it’s all set up to be a fascinating evening of football in the second tier with ten games in all, so here are THREE huge Championship clashes you must keep an eye on tonight…

Derby County vs Fulham

This is a clash which could have serious ramifications on the play-off spots this term, as Gary Rowett’s Derby face sixth place Fulham at Pride Park.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s Cottagers moved into the top six at the weekend after beating Rotherham United 1-0 at the New York Stadium, a result which also relegated the Millers.

Fulham have lost just one of their last ten Championship games, and they have the second best away record of any side in the division, with leaders Newcastle (43) the only team to pick up more points on the road than the London club (33).

However, Rowett has led Derby to a draw and a win in his first two games in charge of the Rams, and they will still harbour faint hopes of reaching the top six come May.

The East Midlands club are eight points behind Fulham in tenth, but victory tonight could see them move up to eighth in the division, and to within five points of the play-off places with six games to go.

And with only one home defeat in 15 games, dating back to September, Derby will be confident of keeping their play-off dream alive with victory over Fulham tonight.

Preston vs Bristol City

This is another clash which will affect both ends of the table, as eighth place Preston entertain 21st place Bristol City at Deepdale.

Simon Grayson’s Lilywhites have responded brilliantly this term and are just six points adrift of the play-off places, all this after losing six of their opening eight games of the season back in August and September.

Since then though, Preston have lost just five of their 31 league games, only two of which have come at home, and they’ll be confident of keeping their play-off chase going against Lee Johnson’s Bristol City this evening.

The Robins lost 2-0 at Brentford to end their four-match unbeaten streak, and it leaves them just a point above the bottom three with seven games of the campaign remaining.

The season started so well for the Ashton Gate tenants, given that they were in the top six at the end of October, but just four wins in 24 games since then has plunged them into trouble, and only a return to their early season form will save Johnson’s men this term.

With just one away win in their last 15 league matches, and just three all season, it’s going to be a tough ask to get the all-important three points at Deepdale this evening.

Wolves vs Nottingham Forest

This really is a huge clash at the bottom of the Championship table, as 16th place Wolves host 20th place Nottingham Forest at Molineux.

Paul Lambert’s men have dragged themselves away from immediate danger with four straight league wins, the latest an impressive 3-1 success over Cardiff City on Saturday.

It means that they go into this evening’s clash with Mark Warburton’s men eight points clear of the drop, and six points ahead of Forest, who have won just one of their nine league games, and none under new boss Warburton.

The former Rangers and Brentford manager took over at the City Ground on March 14 and has since led his side to two draws with East Midlands rivals Derby and Preston, yet that elusive victory is something which he needs to get sooner rather than later, otherwise Forest will be in League 1 next term.

Anything less than victory at a resurgent Wolves could see Warburton’s side in the bottom three come Wednesday morning, demonstrating the magnitude of tonight’s game for the two-times European Cup winners.