EFL midweek preview: Crunch time

Walsall boss Mat Sadler, Bradford's Graham Alexander, Darren Moore of Port Vale and Grant McCann of Doncaster
The top four meet in League Two on Tuesday evening [Getty Images]

In the footballing world there are often accusations of the overuse of hyperbole but, if you'll excuse us, Tuesday night feels massive in the League Two promotion race.

Seven teams are realistically chasing the three automatic places on offer - and the top four face off under the lights.

In League One, it is looking more a case of when, rather than if, Birmingham City win the title but the fight for second place is turning into a real arm wrestle between Wrexham and Wycombe.

Meanwhile, there will be much play-off manoeuvring and relegation scrapping to be played out up and down the country.

Sadler's Saddlers clinging on

Taylor Allen celebrates equalising for Walsall against AFC Wimbledon
Taylor Allen grabbed a late equaliser for Walsall against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday [Rex Features]

Supporters of teams at a certain level of football can be a miserable bunch, take my word for it.

While those at the top end of the game will bask in boasting about their team, those who follow a more humble club will always expect them to find a way of turning triumph into failure.

So, let's all say hello to Walsall. Nine league wins in a row between December and mid-January had Mat Sadler's side 12 points clear at the top and the bookies perhaps ready to pay out.

As we enter April, that gap is down to one point - and, perhaps more pertinently, only five ahead of fourth-placed Doncaster Rovers who they visit on Tuesday.

But defiant Walsall boss Sadler told BBC Radio WM: "We know we're a good team - we're at the fun stage of the season and want to be fighting for exactly what we're fighting for." Fighting words, indeed.

Doncaster ended a three-game winless run by beating Carlisle at the weekend and head coach Grant McCann still has lofty targets for the season.

"Our focus and eyes are firmly on the title and I'm not worried what people may think because that's what we're trying to do," he said

Vale and Bantams scenting success

Port Vale players celebrating with Jayden Stockley
Jayden Stockley (right) was Port Vale's match-winner at Crewe on Saturday [Getty Images]

With Walsall wobbling, Bradford City and Port Vale are leading the pursuit of the leaders and meet at Vale Park on Tuesday night.

When Walsall went 12 points clear in January, Port Vale were third and now the gap at the top is down to one Vale are, well, back up to ...

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