Image source, BBC Sport

Walsall's progress has been slowed with a three-game winless run ahead of a trip to Colchester United.

The Saddlers were helped by Doncaster's 5-2 hammering at Chesterfield on Thursday which means Notts County can go second with a win over Morecambe.

A slip-up from Notts County would open the door for AFC Wimbledon who are at Accrington Stanley and Crewe who meet Newport.

Port Vale and Bradford have lunchtime dates at Swindon and home to Harrogate respectively.

Image source, Opta

There are no surprises for Charlton today as boss Nathan Jones goes with an unchanged side from that which started the draw at Blackpool last weekend.

New signings Alex Gilbert and Tom McIntyre are among the substitutes.

Stevenage make one change from their 4-1 league win over Exeter last weekend (they did play Birmingham in the EFL Trophy in midweek) with Dan Sweeney dropping down to the bench and Charlie Goode comes in for just his fifth League One start of the campaign.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a bit of an odd week for Stevenage supporters.

Coming off the back of an excellent win over Exeter (their third league victory in a row) came the disappointment of seeing their final chance of silverware stolen away late on in their EFL Trophy quarter-final against Birmingham on Tuesday.

Yet that should not tarnish what has been a solid enough season so far for Alex Revell's side who became the first team to win a League One game at Wrexham last month as well as beating Barnsley at Oakwell.

With the ninth best home record and the 14th best away you would expect to find Stevenage mid-table and, funnily enough, 11th is where they are right now, 19 points clear of trouble but only four short of the top six.

Despite Dan Kemp popping in eight league goals from the number 10 role they are the joint-lowest scorers in League One alongside Wigan and Crawley.

The seeming lack of goal threat is helped by a defence which has only conceded 25 goals in 27 outings - only the leaders Birmingham have let in fewer this season.

There is still a bit of mileage in Stevenage's season but you get the feeling today is a pivotal game for them.

Image source, Rex Features

There was a spell earlier this season where Charlton fans were sitting a little uncomfortably in their seats at The Valley with murmurings about whether Nathan Jones was the man to lift them out of the third tier after five seasons of trying.

That was during a run of just one win in nine league games spanning late September into mid-November.

But that was then and this is now and now means one defeat in 10 with six wins.

Had they not thrown away a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw at Blackpool last weekend the Addicks would be starting today already in the play-off places rather than looking to leapfrog Leyton Orient who are involved in the FA Cup.

Only Crawley and Blackpool have come away from Charlton with maximum points this season making this part of South London a difficult place to visit.

Portsmouth defender Tom McIntyre and midfielder Alex Gilbert from Middlesbrough arrived on loan in the final week of the transfer window as Jones looks to push Charlton into the end-of-season bun fight.

Image source, Opta

Stockport's only change from their 1-0 win at Leyton Orient is debutant Brad Hills replacing the injured Macauley Southam-Hales. Defender Hills joined on loan from Norwich City on deadline day.

Barnsley were held to a goalless draw by Burton last week and make a pair of changes. Captain Luca Connell and deadline day signing Clement Rodrigues come into the XI.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Getty Images

In-form Stockport County welcome a Barnsley side to Edgeley Park that haven't won any of their past four league matches.

The Tykes currently sit 10th in League One but just one point off sixth-placed Leyton Orient who occupy the final play-off spot.

The Hatters are enjoying their football at the moment, fourth in the table and victorious in each of their past four matches.

However, Stockport have struggled against Barnsley in recent years, winless across their last six league games against them and conceding 13 goals in total across those matches.

After losing each of their last two away league games, Barnsley will be looking to avoid losing in three in succession on the road for the first time since April last year.

Image source, BBC Sport

Northampton's win at Mansfield last night has given them some breathing space.

Cambridge United are eight points short of safety ahead of a trip to Lincoln this afternoon while Shrewsbury visit Rotherham and Crawley are at Bolton.

Burton take a five game unbeaten run into their home game with Blackpool.

Peterborough are now the side in the sights of the bottom four and being without a game today means they could be dragged further into the mire depending on results this afternoon.

Image source, BBC Sport

With none of the top three in league action this weekend it's a chance for play-off contenders to make their move while Stockport are the nearest challengers to the automatic promotion spots to have a game as they host Barnsley.

Huddersfield Town are looking to end a three game losing streak at home to fellow play-off chasers Reading who ended their own three match slump by beating Bolton last weekend.

Speaking of Bolton, they could move into the top six with a win over Crawley but Charlton may have something to say about that first with their lunchtime game at home to Stevenage.

Leyton Orient are otherwise engaged with the small matter of an FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Manchester City currently in progress.

We have four games to get our coverage started today

League One

Charlton Athletic v Stevenage (12:30 GMT)

Stockport County v Barnsley (12:30 GMT)

League Two:

Bradford City v Harrogate Town (12:30 GMT)

Swindon Town v Port Vale (12:30 GMT)

With a Cup exit comes the adage 'it's good because we can concentrate on the league.'

Now, whether that's true or not, 36 teams from Leagues One and Two have put Cup glory to one side in search of points.

Welcome to your EFL Saturday...