EFL 4/1 Acca – Gab Sutton

Ipswich’s four-game winning streak came to an end at Sheffield United last weekend, as Kieran McKenna’s side fell to a 3-1 defeat which highlighted the importance of players that didn’t start.

For Saturday’s hosting of Preston North End, however, the likes of Leif Davis and Wes Burns are available, Anis Mehmeti could make his first start by coming in for Sammie Szmodics in the absence of Marcelino Nunez, while Dan Neil looks a fantastic addition in midfield.

The Tractor Boys have better players than they had when they won back-to-back promotions, and it’s just been a case of landing on that attacking formula, that equilibrium, but it’s something they’re getting closer to.

Visitors Preston North End, on the other hand, have seen their hopes of an unlikely Play-Off finish dealt a massive blow by three consecutive defeats, with eight goals conceded.

Lincoln moved six points clear in League One’s automatic promotion race in midweek, with a statement performance against Bradford, beating their fellow contenders 3-0 with an electric performance.

The Imps are now unbeaten in their last 11 league games, and the front-four of Reeco Hackett, Rob Street, Jack Moylan and Freddie Draper is rotating and interchanging superbly, offering the solid midfield platform by Ivan Varfolomieiev and Conor McGrandles.

Michael Skubala’s side have a really nice mix of youth and experience, but they don’t rely on any star individuals; they have a whole squad of players who are consistent performers.

Hosts Wigan can only envy such dependability: Ryan Lowe’s side have plummeted to 19th, one point above the drop zone after one win in their last nine league games, amid reports the manager travelled home separately from Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Wycombe on the club’s instruction.

Crawley are significantly underperforming their attacking numbers this season, with an xG for of 41.06, versus 29 goals scored; Scott Lindsey’s side have been wasteful in the final third, and that’s what’s been the difference between midtable, and their current position of 20th.

Nonetheless, the signs are hopeful that the January recruitment that’s reunited Lindsey with 2023-24 promotion-winners Kellan Gordon, Klaidi Lolos, Ronan Darcy and Danilo Orsi, has proved fruitful, along with the captures of Jacob Chapman, Akin Odimayo, Jonny Russell and Lewis Richards.

It’s back-to-back clean sheets for the Red Devils, and after a late winner at Barrow, the Sussex outfit drew at promotion contenders Walsall having dominated the play, in a performance that will fill natives with encouragement that they can start looking up the table, rather than down it.

Visitors Harrogate, alas, don’t have anywhere further down to look, after finally hitting rock bottom following a 2-1 home loss to Fleetwood, a defeat that means Simon Weaver’s side have accrued just four points from their last 18 games – a spirited second half as it was, the string as results has supporters asking all the big questions.