25/04 - 20:00
Happy new year, one and all! With so many games postponed over the last few weeks, you can't trust the league tables anymore. Instead, you can trust the Playmaker Power Rankings to tell you which teams are blazing a trail in the top four tiers.
Last 5 (league): LWWWW
Mansfield haven’t played since their impressive comeback at home to Hartlepool United on boxing day. The Stags were 2-0 down after 50 minutes but were 3-2 ahead just 15 minutes later. The next time we’ll (likely) see Mansfield in action will be in the FA Cup, where they’re facing another team in the Power Rankings, Middlesbrough at Field Mill. It'll be a difficult game against Championship opposition.
Last 5: WWWWD
Blackburn’s six-game winning streak was finally brought to an end by fellow promotion candidates Huddersfield Town, who held Tony Mowbray’s team to a goalless draw at Ewood Park. The good news is that Rovers’ impressive run has moved them up to second place in the Championship table, albeit with Fulham able to retake that spot should they win their games in hand.
📈 Most league goals in 2021 (top 4 tiers):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 30, 2021
24⚽: 💥@benbreo💥, Salah, Wyke, Stockton
23⚽: Mitrovic, Solanke, Clarke-Harris, Yates
21⚽: Toney, M Taylor, Matt#Rovers @Rovers pic.twitter.com/dIUcoTbDhf
Last 5: WWWDW
The New Year’s Day victory over Stevenage was Forest Green Rovers first game since that 5-5 draw with Oldham Athletic on the 11th of December. And while there weren’t ten goals to enjoy this time around, Rob Edwards will be far more satisfied with his team’s comfortable 2-0 win. With Northampton town being soundly defeated 5-2 by Swindon Town on the same day, Forest Green are now seven points clear at the top of League Two with a game in hand.
Last 5: WWWDW
Pompey are set to be back in action later today away to Cambridge United knowing that if they win their two games in hand they’ll be just one point off the play-off spots. Portsmouth should be confident considering their impressive run of form recently but were beaten 2-1 by Cambridge at Fratton Park back in September.
Last 5: WWWDW
The Red Devils are undefeated in their last eight games since the defeat to Watford in November that cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job. While Ralf Rangnick’s revolution hasn’t been as spectacular to watch as some may have expected, it is slowly picking up results during a period where United have some relatively winnable games. Their next test is tonight at Old Trafford when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Most appearances: ✅
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 1, 2022
Most assists: ✅
Top goalscorer: ✅
It's a hat-trick for @B_Fernandes8 👏#MUFC pic.twitter.com/3nO21QHjJi
Last 5: WWDWW
Yesterday’s scheduled game at home to Fleetwood Town was called off yesterday due to the visitors having insufficient numbers. However, before that, the Black Cats recorded their second 5-0 win of the month when they thrashed Sheffield Wednesday with Ross Stewart bagging a hat-trick. Sunderland also defeated Doncaster Rovers three days previously and haven’t lost a League One game since the start of November – they're now just one point behind league-leaders Rotherham United.
📊 Most assists in 2021 (Top four tiers):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 31, 2021
19🅰️: 🔥Aiden McGeady🔥
14🅰️: Harry Wilson
13🅰️: Trent Alexander-Arnold, George Thomson
12🅰️: Emiliano Buendía#SAFC @RokerReport pic.twitter.com/XU0jKytxgI
Last 5: WDWWW
Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough are undefeated in their last six games and are looking a much improved and far more resolute. Boro are now just one point off the play-off spots having moved up seven places since Wilder replaced Neil Warnock. Last week’s game against Blackpool wasn’t easy, though. Boro were 1-0 up thanks to Andraz Sporar after 90 minutes but Shayne Lavery equalised in stoppage time. However, just a minute later Boro were ahead again through Duncan Watmore to complete a dramatic victory.
Just take a bow @andrazsporar90
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 30, 2021
Take a bow 🙌 #UTB pic.twitter.com/hnXlsHUhJp
Last 5: DWWWW
Despite winning four on the bounce, Sheffield United are still 13th in the Championship. However, that’s primarily because the Blades have only played 22 games while some others in the league have played 26. Now Sheffield won’t be in Championship action until January 15th with an FA Cup tie away to Wolves to contend with first. Paul Heckingbottom’s team will be hoping the postponed fixtures doesn’t ruin their winning run.
Last 5: WWWWW
Micky Mellon’s team aren’t in action again until the 8th of January but they’ve had an excellent December where they have won all of their league games without conceding a single goal in the process. Unsurprisingly, Tranmere have by far the best defence in the league but are also the fifth lowest scorers – although, it doesn’t matter if you win every game 1-0.
Last 5: WWWWW
Did Manchester City get given the gift of the Premier League title this Christmas? It’s hard to imagine they’ll slip up now as they keep on winning – even if Arsenal weren’t happy with the decisions – while their rivals Chelsea and Liverpool slip up and take points off each other.
Perhaps the Citizens next game, at home to stuttering title rivals Chelsea, will give an even clearer idea of where the title will be at the end of the season. But first, Pep Guardiola’s team have what should be a far easier game away at League Two Swindon Town in the FA Cup.
🧤 Most clean sheets in Europe in 2021 (#UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 31, 2021
23⛔️: 🛡️EDERSON🛡️
20⛔️: Samir Handanovic
18⛔️: Edouard Mendy, Mike Maignan, Thibaut Courtois Yassine Bono
15⛔️: Alisson, Koen Casteels, Robert Sanchéz#ManCity #MCFC pic.twitter.com/MzBfJN1pUm
