IT'S a busy night in the npower leagues and vital one for on-form Nottingham Forest.
Billy Davies' side gave themselves a massive promotion shot in the arm with the weekend win at Derby and are pushing hard for an automatic place in the Premier League after missing out last season.
Forest are up to sixth, just four points behind second-placed Cardiff, but have two games in hand. They have won five of their last six and remain unbeaten at home in 33 games.
All that makes tonight a tough task for a Bristol City side who have struggled since an impressive 3-0 defeat of Cardiff was followed by a 2-2 draw at leaders QPR.
Since then they have haven't scored in three and conceded seven.
Forest should take full advantage of their visitors' drop in form and are generally available at 4-7.
In League One, Brighton's great run was surprisingly ended at Bournemouth on Saturday but Gus Poyet's men can bounce back by beating Colchester at home.
Brighton have been strong at the Withdean, scoring 11 in their last three games, including a 3-1 FA Cup romp against Portsmouth.
Colchester, on the other hand, have taken just one point from their last three road trips although did well to hold Huddersfield 0-0 at the weekend.
Orient are a side who have run into form, beating Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 at home on Saturday.
That emphasised the improvement seen in their FA Cup success at Norwich and suggests promotion-chasing MK Dons will get it tough at Brisbane Road tonight.
Orient are a best 11-8 with Stan James and totesport and I can see them continuing their climb up the table.
In League Two, the best bets look to be Crewe at home to Bradford.
Crewe have notched 26 goals in 12 home games while Bradford have netted just eight on the road all season.
After three defeats in a row the well-supported Yorkshire side remain nearer the relegation zone than the play-offs and that's a source of immense frustration. Take Crewe at 20-21 at Chandler.
If you're after a bigger-priced side consider Hereford who are chasing a fifth win in a row at home to Morecambe. They are as big as 6-4 with Chandler, bet365 and William Hill.
In Scotland, there are five games involving lower-league sides – two of them Scottish Cup replays.
The first sees First Division Morton travel to Second Division Airdrie after coming back from two down to earn another bite at the Diamonds.
Morton have been showing a bit of form and a 2-2 draw at Raith on Saturday was more than could have been expected. I can see them edging through and are a best 6-4 with Coral.
There could be a slight shock in the other clash with Third Division Stranraer enjoying home advantage against Second Division Stenhousemuir.
Due to their south-west location Stranraer have been playing as many games as any so match fitness shouldn't be a concern.
And although the league leaders haven't been firing on all cylinders the carrot of a fifth-round meeting with SPL Motherwell should inspire a performance.
Stranraer are 5-4 at bet365 while Stenny are a biggest 19-10 with William Hill and in reality there isn't much between the teams.
Forfar hope to play for the first time in 66 days but could lose out at Dumbarton if they don't get back up to speed quickly.
The Sons thrashed Alloa in their last home outing and although they sit bottom they have a 50-50 home record. Dumbarton look worth a risk at 9-5 at bet365.
Third Division Annan amazingly have never won a midweek game since joining the league three seasons ago. That record could be extended tonight as they travel to an Albion Rovers side who have slipped to fourth during the cold spell but have games in hand on everyone above them. Take Rovers at 11-10 across the board.
Finally, Arbroath could be one of the safest punts of the night. Three of their last four matches have resulted in 4-0, 5-0 and 4-0 wins and they entertain an East Stirling side who have slipped to second bottom and recently struggled to see off non-leaguers Spartans and Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup. Arbroath are 4-7 at totesport.
Lower-league best bets
- Nottm Forest
- Crewe
- Arbroath
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
GambleAware