Bristol City dropped points for the first time this season when conceding an injury-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Barnsley on Saturday but will be aiming to get their Championship promotion push back on track on Tuesday by beating Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate.
Dean Holden’s side remain top of the table and are looking to maintain a 100 per cent home record against 15th-placed Boro, who are searching for their first away victory of the season.
The first full midweek programme in the second tier this season could see plenty of changes at the top end of the table, where just three points covers the top five teams.
Another key game on Tuesday features seventh-placed Millwall taking on sixth-placed Luton in south London, while Wednesday’s schedule includes an important game for basement boys Sheffield Wednesday, who face Brentford at Hillsborough.
Lack of firepower could cost Boro
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock had hoped to add another striker before the closure of the transfer window, but he was unsuccessful and a lack of firepower could make his life difficult when choosing a team to take on Bristol City.
Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga were Boro’s joint-top scorers last season with 11 league goals each but Fletcher (hamstring) has missed the last month and Assombalonga is a major doubt after suffering an unspecified injury at the weekend.
It leaves Warnock relying on Chuba Akpom, who has scored twice in three games since his arrival from PAOK.
Bristol City boss Dean Holden has greater attacking options and his confident side look overpriced 7/5 shots to post their fifth league win of the campaign.
Hatters’ Poor Run at Millwall could Continue
Luton have not beaten Millwall at the Den since 1999 and their struggles at the venue could continue.
Millwall came from behind to win 2-1 at Wycombe on Saturday and know that a victory over Luton would take them into the top six for the first time this season.
The Lions favour a direct approach and the aerial power of Matt Smith could be a useful weapon against Luton, who failed to defend their penalty box properly when losing 2-0 at home to Stoke at the weekend.
Classy Millwall winger Jed Wallace can ensure a regular stream of quality crosses for Smith, who is 4/1 to score the first goal.
However, the more solid play looks to be a wager on Millwall at 21/20 to register their third league win of the season.
Owls can Keep Cutting Deficit
Sheffield Wednesday have wiped out eight points of their pre-season 12- point deduction and can get even closer to parity by defeating Brentford in south Yorkshire on Wednesday.
Owls boss Garry Monk has done some smart business this summer and held onto key midfielder Barry Bannan, who was a reported transfer target for the Bees.
Midfield is usually a strong suit for Brentford but influential Danish playmaker Christian Norgaard suffered a knee injury during the October internationals and is not expected to return until November.
Brentford coped without Norgaard when winning 2-0 at home to Coventry on Saturday but they face a tougher contest against Wednesday, who look overpriced at 12/5 to win.
Speedy Sarr can Rock Rovers
Watford spent most of the transfer window wondering which key players they were going to hold onto, but they have retained a very strong squad and are likely to continue their positive start to the Championship season when they take on Blackburn.
Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr is the Hornets most prized asset and his extended stay in Hertfordshire looks bad news for Rovers at Vicarage Road.
Sarr and experienced midfielder Etienne Capoue, who failed to seal a switch to Valencia, are in contention to return to the squad and their quality could help the Hornets to justify 11/10 favouritism against Rovers, who were below par when losing 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
*All odds correct at time of writing
