EFL 5/1 Acca – Gab Sutton

Watford have arguably one of the most talented squads in the Championship, if we’re talking about potential, but that’s yet to translate into consistency, even after Paulo Pezzolano was replaced by their 2019 FA Cup Finalist manager, Javi Gracia.

Nonetheless, it’s one defeat in seven now for the Hornets, who boast quality in winger Othmane Maamma, dribbly creator Giorgi Chakvetadze, who’s recently returned to the fold, midfielder Imran Louza, often described externally as one of the best in the division, and striker Luca Kjerrumgaard, who bagged a brace in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Norwich.

The Hertfordshire outfit may be missing some extra ingredients required to maximize their talents, but they’re certainly a top half team, and that should show on Tuesday night.

Visitors Sheffield Wednesday’s season is an on-field write-off, due to a combined 18-point deduction which leaves them 28 points off safety, with full focus on off-field matters and the hopefully impending takeover, which would enable structural process in place to prepare for League One football next season.

Bolton’s form took a hit with a heavy FA Cup defeat at Swindon at the weekend, but in terms of league form they remain unbeaten in five, with Steven Schumacher’s side six points off the automatic promotion spots with a game in hand.

Wanderers have one of the best squads in the division on paper, and they’ll be hoping that extra depth, combined with a favourable run of fixtures coming up, will see them to a prosperous festive period.

The Trotters have quality in flair winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, on loan from Brighton, who looks set to stay over January, as well as an abundance of excellent options across midfield and attack.

Hosts Mansfield seem to be following a theme of banking most of the points they need to survive early on, and then coming to rely on that haul later in the season: the Stags were flying high in 8th at the end of October, but have since lost their last three league games.

Grimsby have gone five league games without a win, as a combination of individual errors and profligate finishing has seen David Artell’s side take two points from a run of games that could just as easily have yielded eight.

Despite this, the Mariners remain the second-top goalscorers in League Two (somewhat boosted by the 7-1 against nine-man Cheltenham, granted), which shows the astronomical volume of chances they create: only MK Dons have scored more goals, and yet they’re still considered wasteful in the final third.

Town found that ruthless edge against National League side Wealdstone in the FA Cup, though, dispatching the North London side 4-0 thanks to a Jaze Kabia brace, and confidence may flow from there.

Hosts Shrewsbury have only won four of their 18 league games all season and have shipped 11 goals in their previous five; a trip to the restless Salopians could see Grimsby find their cutting edge once again.