Tonight's Championship action: Yorkshire clubs have plenty to play for

Five observations ahead of the action:

1: A definitive home triple-header for Middlesbrough as Huddersfield Town aim to upset the applecart

Just over three weeks ago, Boro’s season looked to be teetering on the brink.

Thankfully, for the Teessiders’ sake, they have closed ranks and regrouped and chiselled out key wins over Hull and QPR to set themselves up nicely for home games against Town, Preston and Reading.

Boro’s home record is formidable, but Town feel emboldened by their last away day, a resounding 4-1 win at Leeds United, while their first-half performance against the Teessiders in the reverse fixture at home was outstanding - and arguably represented one of Boro’s toughest 45 minutes for the season with Aitor Karanka’s side desperately fortunate to come away with a 2-0 win in the end.

Boro might look favourites on paper, but the fixture has a banana skin look at it.

2: Can Hull City back up Saturday’s goal spree against Derby County?

Hull’s shot in the arm with four goals and a clean sheet against Bristol City was timely and the perfect fillip ahead of tonight’s trip to the iPro against the Rams, who beat them 2-0 in East Yorkshire.

On paper, it looks the toughest assignment that Hull have left this term, with Steve Bruce’s side having to face a clutch of sides in the vicinity of the middle of the table after tonight before winding up the campaign with games against Bolton and Rotherham.

Bruce is right to label tonight as their biggest game of the campaign thus far. Win and they are well and truly pitched back into the top-two picture and firmly back on track against after an indifferent March.

3: With three out of next four matches at Hillsborough, opportunity knocks for Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls have reacted impressively to their derby setback to Rotherham in early March, so much so that they are seeking their fourth consecutive league win of the season for the first time this term, along with their fifth successive clean sheet.

After tonight, the Owls travel to Bristol City before successive home games against Ipswich and MK Dons and a strong haul of points can help nail down a play-off place ahead of matches against sides around them in Derby and Cardiff.

Against Blackburn - an organised side who are usually solid and obdurate and a threat at set-pieces – concentration and patience could well be the key.

4: Big night for Bailey Peacock-Farrell as Leeds United welcome QPR.

With Marco Silvestri suspended after his late dismissal at the NYS, rookie goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is propelled into the limelight.

Leeds - and certainly Steve Evans - have spoken effusively about the credentials of the Darlington-born custodian. So much so that Evans has tipped the 19-year-old to play in the Premier League one day. Big call.

Peacock-Farrell has at least been afforded plenty of experience and an observational vantage point from the bench. Now comes his big chance and Whites supporters will be wishing him well, while he could do with being offered some protection from Leeds’ flaky defence.

5: A magical run for Rotherham United, but more serious stuff to attend to.

Despite a magnificent run of 16 points from the last 18 available and claiming some high-profile scalps into the bargain, there is no respite for Rotherham, who face back-to-back away games against two sides just below them in Bristol City and MK Dons. Neil Warnock is mindful that a couple more good results would all but clinch the Millers’ cherished league status barring a late implosion.

After playing the underdog card successfully, nexpectation is thrust upon their shoulders against sides who will be scrapping and battling for everything and will be even more desperate for points.