There is also a tasty meeting between third and fourth and, given the congested nature of the table, there is no surprise that a couple of play-off rivals lock horns.

Southampton are only leading the table on goal difference after being held to a last-gasp draw by local rivals Portsmouth at the weekend and will be keen to pick up three points at Crystal Palace.

With second-placed Reading not in action until Tuesday, West Ham can close the gap to just one point when hosting Birmingham City at Upton Park in the late kick-off.

Down at the bottom end of the table, Coventry City could climb out of the bottom three, and dump Bristol City in the drop zone, with victory at Ashton Gate.

Bottom club Doncaster Rovers are eight points from safety with five games to play and welcome Burnley to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Hull City and Middlesbrough have seen their play-off hopes dented in recent weeks following a dip in form and the two clubs clash at the KC Stadium.

Blackpool are up to fifth spot after back-to-back victories and will be confident of another three points at home to Barnsley.

Cardiff City have climbed back into the top six after a five-match unbeaten run and manager Malky Mackay welcomes his former club Watford to South Wales.

Leicester City are not yet out of the play-off picture and will aim to follow up a weekend thrashing of Doncaster with success at Ipswich Town.

Nottingham Forest are not out of the relegation woods and head to Peterborough United, who can pass the 50-point mark with victory at London Road.

Leeds United and Derby County are both on 57 points and face each other at Elland Road, but look to have left it too late to make the play-offs.