Matchday 19 provided more thrills, spills and late drama... but the action doesn't stop there - Midweek football returns to the EFL and Sky Bet League One for a full fixture list in Matchday 20...
Tight at the top
After being held to a 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers in a South Yorkshire derby, Barnsley travel to the Stadium of Light looking to leapfrog Sunderland into the second automatic play-off place in Sky Bet League One.
The Black Cats were also held to a score draw at the Banks’ Stadium against Dean Keates’ Walsall, the ten-men of Sunderland recovered from two-goals down to pull the game back level and secure a point through Aiden McGeady and Lynden Gooch.
These two sides have gone 23 consecutive league meetings without a draw, the last time the two side’s shared the spoils was back in 1985 in a 1-1 draw at Oakwell.
Play-off chasers
Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool are locked in a six-way battle for the final play-off place in Sky Bet League One with Charlton Athletic currently occupying sixth position.
It has been hard viewing for Rovers fans at the Keepmoat Stadium over the years against the Tangerines, as Doncaster are winless in their last 10 home meetings against Blackpool in all competitions, drawing five and losing five.
Terry McPhillips’ side are currently on a two-match winning streak in the league away from Bloomfield Road, seeing off Gillingham 1-0 and Southend United 2-1 respectively, and if they are victorious on Tuesday night it would be the first time in six years for them to win three on the bounce away from home in the league.
Top v Bottom
4th-placed Luton Town take on 24th-placed Bradford City at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night looking to cement their place in the Sky Bet League One play-off places.
The Hatters are on a two-match winning run in the league after hammering Plymouth Argyle 5-1 last time out at home, following that up by seeing off Gillingham 3-1 away from home.
Meanwhile Bradford got back to winning ways with an impressive 2-0 victory over Oxford united at the weekend, but, the Bantams are on an 11-match winless run against Luton, the last time Bradford were on the winning side of the score-line was back in April 1968.
Elsewhere Steve Evans’ Peterborough United welcome manager-less AFC Wimbledon to the ABAX Stadium, the Posh have slipped down the Sky Bet League One table in recent weeks and need three valuable points to keep the pressure on Luton Town, Barnsley and Sunderland respectively.
It is good reading for The Dons though as they have not tasted defeat against Peterborough United in the four league meetings between the two sides.
Pirates to halt sinking ship?
This Sky Bet League One season has not gone to plan for Bristol Rovers so far as they find themselves just inside the relegation zone, after picking up only four wins in 19 league games so far.
The Pirates take on Gillingham on Tuesday night as both teams look to try and put some distance between themselves and the dreaded relegation places, and the Gills have lost their last two games in the league leading up to this game.
Steve Lovell’s side have won just one of their last eight away league games, drawing two and losing five, their last win coming back in October where a goal apiece from Tom Eaves and Alex Lacey gave the Gills all three points over current league leaders Portsmouth.
Around the grounds
Sky Bet League One pace-setters Portsmouth take on Walsall at Fratton Park, Pompey have only lost one of their last nine home games against Walsall but the Saddlers can take positives that Kenny Jackett’s side have only won one of their last five home league games, drawing three and losing one.
Charlton Athletic currently occupy the final play-off spot in Sky Bet League One and will look to strengthen their position with three points over Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Interestingly, this will be the first ever league meeting between the two sides, the only previous occasion these two sides met each other came in the FA Cup third round in 1956, with the Addicks running out 7-0 winners at the Valleys.
Elsewhere, Accrington Stanley face Wycombe Wanderers at the Wham Stadium and John Coleman’s men will be looking to extend their impressive run over the Chairboys, which with a win, will take Stanley’s unbeaten record to 12 games.
Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town were defeated by Plymouth Argyle at the weekend and head back to Highbury Stadium searching for a much needed three points, mainly due to the fact that the Cod Army have only picked up one win in their last six outings in the league, drawing one and losing four.
Oxford United tasted defeat to bottom side Bradford City at the weekend, they have the perfect chance to get back on the winning trail when they take on Rochdale on Tuesday evening.
The U’s are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Rochdale, keeping three clean sheet during that run, the last time the Dale were victorious came back in November 2004.
Shrewsbury Town are winless in their last six games against Plymouth Argyle which does not bode well ahead of their fixture at the Montgomery Waters Meadow, Derek Adams’ side will be looking to build on their 3-2 win over Fleetwood Town at the weekend.
Last but not least, 15th-placed Southend United entertain 18th-placed Scunthorpe United at Roots Hall, the Shirmpers have won six of their last eight home games against the Iron, scoring at least two goals in all six victories.
But it is a different story in all competitions as Scunthorpe have won four of their last six meetings, scoring a total of 13 goals in the process.