Play-offs are probably a step too far for Exeter City this season, and that is perfectly fine. The Grecians have been the best performing of the four teams promoted from League Two last season, spending the campaign firmly away from the relegation conversation, and picking up some eye-catching results both home and away. Gary Caldwell’s decision to persist with the favoured formation and personnel of Matt Taylor has created a smooth transition from one manager to the next. Exeter City look to be an impressive, progressive side where possible, metronome midfielder Archie Collins and dynamic wing-back Jake Caprice among the standouts. Current form however does not look too great for the Devon side. The Grecians have lost three of their last four league games, and are without a win at St. James Park since the 12th November. It isn’t helped with the fact that top scorer and key creator Jevani Brown is currently suspended from playing for the club due to a legal matter.

The last thing Exeter City really need right now is a home game against the division’s form side. Having gone through a festive period without any points collected, Shrewsbury Town are currently on a run of six consecutive league wins, a streak not seen by the Shropshire outfit since a promotion winning season from League Two in 2014-15. The Shrews run is all the more remarkable given the small core of senior players at their disposal. Their most recent win against Port Vale for instance came without both Matthew Pennington and Tom Flanagan, regulars at the back in a 3-4-1-2 set-up. Luke Leahy and Taylor Moore, regulars in midfield, took up the wide centre-back roles in their absence, supported in the middle by Chey Dunkley who is on track to record the best goalscoring season of his career. The ex-Coventry pair of Jordan Shipley and Tom Bayliss remain key to the quality in Steve Cotterill’s side, Shiipley operating in a left-wing-back role and Bayliss usually being deployed in attacking midfield. Crystal Palace loanee Killian Phillips was Shrewsbury’s only arrival in the January window, but has already caught the eye in midfield positions.

Shrewsbury’s incredible run has left them just three points off the play-off places, albeit with more games played than those directly above them. Exactly how long they can keep this run going, no one is quite sure. The Shrews have fully capitalised on a string of favourable matches against bottom four and mid-table sides, and have two more to come in the immediate future against first Exeter City and then Accrington Stanley. Could this incredible winning run go on even further for Shrewsbury Town? There’s nothing wrong with believing that it still can.

Wycombe Wanderers sent a statement to the rest of the division in defeating Derby County 3-2 on Saturday, and Gareth Ainsworth’s men are just three points off the top six.

Barnsley are one place above the Chairboys in sixth and will be difficult to shift, but that will not dent belief in Ainsworth’s camp.

The underlying numbers do not reflect as positively on Wycombe, but that has rarely been the case in the last few years, and they will be smelling the opportunity to go four from four, and keep the pressure up on the Tykes, when they travel to lowly Accrington Stanley.

Wycombe have scored six goals in their last two games, since Anis Mehmeti’s late window move to Bristol City, from chances equating to 4.7 expected goals (xG) for, with Sam Vokes returning to something close to the threat that he was last season, when they reached the play-off final.

Michael Nottingham did not return in Stanley’s goalless draw at Cheltenham Town at the weekend, but John Coleman will be hoping the towering defender comes back into the squad in the coming weeks.

Burton Albion and Milton Keynes Dons’ resurgence have heaped pressure on Accy who are still reeling from an injury crisis.

Bristol Rovers have endured a very disappointing start to the year, falling from a quiet play-off push to 14th in the table, having lost four on the bounce.

The Gas have only scored once in that run, they have accumulated 3.42 xGF in that time, but that is still a drop-off from Rovers’ attacking process this season, and Barton’s nature will be to fight fire with fire when high flying Ipswich Town arrive.

The Tractor Boys should take some confidence and belief from their 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, a better point when you consider that they were 2-0 down.

Nathan Broadhead opened his account for the club, the striker played a key role in Sunderland sealing promotion back to the Championship last season and would be playing in the second tier if it was not for Ipswich’s wealth in League One.

Lee Evans missed out against the Owls through injury, but Wes Burns was available to start despite being a doubt in the lead-up to the fixture.

Derby County dropping points last time out should also lift the mood at Ipswich, and Rovers’ leaky backline of late should provide them an opportunity to take the points back to Suffolk.

Charlton Athletic lost 2-1 at home to Fleetwood Town on Saturday, they were the architects of their own downfall, with Ashley Maynard-Brewer at fault for the opener, before Jesurun Rak-Sakyi spectacularly levelled only for the Cod Army to get the winner from a corner kick.

Forest Green Rovers have put in two promising performances in their three matches under Duncan Ferguson, but they have only picked up one point in that time and are staring relegation in the face.

Joe Wollacott is available to come in for Maynard-Brewer after a finger injury, Michael Hector is still building his fitness, Chuks Aneke returned on Saturday, Ryan Inniss is suspended barring an appeal, while Miles Leaburn, Todd Kane and Mandela Egbo are injured.

Sean Clare and Matt Penney also came off with knocks at the weekend.

Rak-Sakyi with Corey Blackett-Taylor and Scott Fraser in attacking midfield may be too much to handle for the worst defence in the division.

The Addicks’ away form has improved since Dean Holden came in, and they have consistently been one of the better attacking sides in the division this season, hampered by only keeping five clean sheets in 29 league games.

Portsmouth continue to be overrated by the market, we have successfully opposed them in recent weeks and the midweek schedule provides another opportunity to do so.

John Mousinho saw an upturn in results after taking over from Danny Cowley, but the performance level has not improved significantly ahead of hosting in-form Burton Albion.

I would not be rushing to back Portsmouth at 1.75, as they are for this match, against Forest Green, and this is a rejuvenated Brewers side.

Burton have won three on the bounce in League One, but still have a lot to do to pull clear of the relegation battle, with Craig MacGillivray providing an upgrade between the sticks after joining from Charlton in January.

Dale Taylor looks a huge threat at the top of the pitch, on loan from Nottingham Forest, also a January addition, and Dino Maamria will be relishing the challenge on Tuesday evening.

Jayden Reid and Joe Rafferty are out long term for Pompey, and though they created some good chances in a 3-1 loss at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, the game played out to allow the Pilgrims to sit back.