FIVE TO WATCH WHEN THE CHAMPIONSHIP RESUMES

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC

(Fulham) STRIKER Games: 34 Goals: 23 Assists: 1 The Serbian striker (right) has scored 23 goals out of Fulham’s total of 52 in the Championship. Phenomenal for a player who has been feeding off scraps for much of the campaign. If the Cottagers do manage to snatch promotion, the division’s leading scorer will deserve most of the plaudits. Fulham will hope Mitrovic hits the ground running with a crunch London derby against Brentford, rivals for a play-off spot, first up.

OLLIE WATKINS

(Brentford) STRIKER Games: 37 Goals: 22 Assists: 2 Watkins is just one goal behind Mitrovic going into the two sides’ clash. Initially a winger, Watkins, 24, has adapted brilliantly to his new central role and looks a natural goalscorer. Two prolific, if completely different, strikers to go head-to-head.

MATHEUS PEREIRA

(West Brom) MIDFIELDER Games: 33 Goals: 6 Assists: 13 The Brazilian No 10, on loan from Sporting Lisbon, has been playing on a higher level than the rest of the Championship this season. He provides the creative spark and has 13 assists and six goals in the league this season. No one has set up more. He will hope to conjure up more magic in the Midlands derby with Birmingham.

BEN WATSON

(Nottingham Forest) MIDFIELDER Games: 37 Goals: 3 Assists: 3 He scored the winner in the FA Cup final for Wigan against Manchester City and now he is the heart and soul of a Nottingham Forest team that are looking to secure a play-off place for the first time in nine years. Forest open up at Sheffield Wednesday.

KALVIN PHILLIPS

(Leeds) MIDFIELDER Games: 31 Goals: 1 Assists: 2 There is no one better in his position in the division. Sitting in front of the Leeds back four, he reads the game superbly and has a phenomenal range of passing. Dictates the tempo of play and will look to do so again when the league leaders return at Cardiff.