Needing just a point to book their place in the knockout rounds, Northampton Town return to EFL Trophy action on Tuesday, when they welcome Burton Albion to Sixfields.
The League One teams occupy the top two spots in southern section Group F, ahead of Notts County and Leicester City Under-21s.
Match preview
© Imago
Leading their EFL Trophy group by three points with one game to go, Northampton are now aiming to build on a couple of positive results since being dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league neighbours Kettering Town at the start of November.
The Cobblers swept aside Leicester's youngsters with a 3-0 win last Tuesday, helped by a brace from Neo Dobson, before visiting League One big spenders Birmingham City at the weekend.
Though they went one down just before the half-hour mark at St Andrews, Jon Brady's side equalised deep into stoppage time to snatch a 1-1 draw when Mitch Pinnock capitalised on a defensive mistake in the 97th minute.
Now occupying 17th place in the League One standings, just four points above the relegation zone, Northampton are most likely facing a long battle for survival.
Another break from the grind of a marathon league campaign comes on Tuesday, as they meet opponents they shared the spoils with back in August, when the pair played out a goalless draw.
© Imago
Since then, Burton Albion have added only five more points to their League One total, as they remain mired in the third tier's bottom four.
The Brewers' hierarchy recently chose to part ways with former boss Mark Robinson, and caretaker coach Tom Hounsell has made an immediate impact by tightening things up at the back.
After eight straight matches where Burton had shipped at least two goals, they have since conceded just once in four under Hounsell, helping them to end a seven-game losing streak in the league by holding fellow strugglers Crawley Town goalless.
They also overcame Scarborough Athletic in the FA Cup first round before taking on relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town at the weekend.
The Staffordshire side finally secured their first win of the League One season via goals from Tomas Kalinauskas and Danilo Orsi, moving them off the bottom and dropping the Shrews to last place.
Having beaten Leicester Under-21s in first fixture, then lost to Notts County - who they are just ahead of on goal difference in Group F - another success in midweek would book Burton's place in the EFL Trophy knockout phase.
Team News
© Imago
Interim Burton boss Tom Hounsell is sure to make changes on Tuesday, so the visitors' goalscoring heroes against Shrewsbury Town may be rested.
Lithuanian forward Tomas Kalinauskas has just scored for the second Saturday in succession, but Ben Whitfield, Jack Cooper-Love and Costa Rica international Alejandro Bran could be among several players promoted from the bench.
Ronnie Stutter and Julian Larsson are still sidelined, but Udoka Godwin-Malife has returned to action following hernia surgery.
Northampton will be without Tom Eaves, who suffered a serious face injury last month, but free-agent ex-Derby County striker Martyn Waghorn recently joined on a short-term deal and could start at Sixfields.
TJ Eyoma - released by Lincoln City last season - was also picked up on a free, bolstering Jon Brady's options at the back.
Though Cameron McGeehan received his fifth booking of the season against Birmingham City, meaning he will miss the Cobblers' weekend game in Blackpool, he is available for selection.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Licorish-Mullings, Magloire, Tomlinson; Eyoma, Chouchane, Sowerby, McGeehan, Ireland; Dobson, Waghorn
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Isted; Bannon, Godwin-Maliffe, Sweeney, Armer; Watt, Bran; Whitfield, Bodin, Bennett; Cooper-Love
We say: Northampton Town 1-1 Burton Albion
Northampton can afford to play for a draw in order to guarantee qualification from Group F, while Burton are growing in confidence and could take a point away from Sixfields on Tuesday.
It remains to be seen whether that would be enough to stop Notts County overtaking them, though.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
