The end of the season is looming closer and closer with some of the champions and relegations already having been decided across the top-four tiers.

That’s what makes the Playmaker Power Rankings even more fascinating at this time of the season as teams make last-gasp charges for glory.

=8th, Mansfield Town

Last 5: WDDWW

With just three games left to play this season, the Stags have put themselves in a great place to snatch a play-off place or maybe even make the top three.

Mansfield are now on a nine-game streak without losing including four wins out of their last six games in the division. Saturday’s vital 1-0 win at home to Stevenage thanks to Davis Keillor-Dunn’s early goal really set up a fascinating final run-in for all the teams hoping to go up alongside Leyton Orient.

Speaking of which, that’s exactly who Nigel Clough’s team face next when the new League Two champions visit Mansfield.

=8th, Derby County

Last 5: WDDWW

The Rams have picked themselves back up from three consecutive losses that threatened to derail their bid for a play-off place. Fortunately, Derby have picked themselves up from that to go five games undefeated.

Two wins in their next games for Paul Warne would guarantee a play-off place but those games are far from easy. First Derby will host Portsmouth before travelling to Hillsborough to face a Sheffield Wednesday team who could be fighting for the title.

Eyes on the target as we start a new week! 👁️🎯#DCFC #dcfcfans pic.twitter.com/T6IGB1BZCJ

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) April 24, 2023

=8th, West Ham United

Last 5: WDDWW

David Moyes’ side still have seven league games left to play but you would think they should be just about safe now. Even with a difficult final run that includes the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, and Brentford the Hammers are expected to earn enough points to ensure their Premier League status.

It might be enough for Moyes to keep his job, but he has been enjoying himself more in recent times with a European semi-final against AZ coming up and an impressive 4-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend.

Most importantly, West Ham have suffered just one loss in their last 10 games in all competitions – you don’t get relegated with that kind of form.

7th, Newcastle United

Last 5: WWWLW

After a disappointing defeat on the road to Aston Villa, the Magpies took out their frustration on hapless Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle scored five goals in the opening 21 minutes at St James Park in an eventual 6-1 rout that also strengthened their grip on a top-four place and boosted a healthy goal difference that Manchester United are unlikely to catch up to.

Eddie Howe’s team have won six of their last seven Premier League games with another seven left to play. Another six wins would definitely do nicely.

(1/2)⏲️ Scored 5+ goals in first 45 mins of a #PL game (fr. 92/93):

⭐️NEWCASTLE (v Spurs, 2023)
⭐️Liverpool (v Bournemouth, 2022)
⭐️Leicester (v Southampton, 2019)
⭐️Man City (v Watford, 2019)
⭐️Stoke (v Liverpool, 2015)
⭐️Southampton (v Villa, 2015)#NUFC pic.twitter.com/3CK7aQw9hj

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) April 23, 2023

6th, Plymouth Argyle

Last 5: WLWWW

Steven Schumacher was named the League One Manager of the Season and for him just three wins would guarantee Plymouth Argyle are League One champions. Two of those are at home, against Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion, before a final-day trip to Port Vale.

Last weekend Argyle recorded a 3-1 win at home to Cambridge United with Niall Ennis scoring his 10th league goal of the season – impressive numbers considering he has started just 16 games in the third tier this season.

✨ Your Gaffer. @SkyBetLeagueOne Manager of the Season.#pafc pic.twitter.com/oYRcNyvHA5

— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) April 23, 2023

5th, Aston Villa

Last 5: WWWWD

Villa’s excellent winning run finally came to an end against Brentford in an entertaining game between two teams fighting for European football next season. Unai Emery will probably be the happiest of the two coaches with Douglas Luiz scoring a late leveller.

Liverpool look to be on the hunt for a top six but Villa could well take advantage of the malaise in North London by leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are just two points ahead of Villa now – not many people thought the gap between the two teams would be so close early on in the season.

=3rd, Lincoln City

Last 5: WWWDW

Despite a difficult selection of opponents in their last six games, the Imps have remarkably remained undefeated. That little run includes a win over current league-leaders Plymouth Argyle and just last week a 2-0 victory away to Wycombe Wanderers.

Lincoln are ending the season well in the kind of form Mark Kennedy hopes they will take into the next campaign.

One thing they will need to work on next season is converting a good chunk of their draws into wins. No team has drawn as many games (20) as Lincoln in League One this season – only Portsmouth come close with 17.

=3rd, Manchester City

Last 5: WWWDW

The Citizens enjoyed a comfortable afternoon at Wembley with Riyad Mahrez scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Championship side Sheffield United.

It was exactly what we all expected to happen, especially after City managed to navigate what could have been a difficult Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich with relative ease.

To top things off for City, Arsenal dropped points once again, making Wednesday’s huge game against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium even bigger. A win would be a big step on the way to a potential treble.

2nd, Ipswich Town

Last 5: WDWWW

The race for the top two spots in League One is fascinating and it’s Keiran McKenna’s team who are going into the final stretch with the most momentum.

The Tractor Boys have won 11 of their last 12 games and their defence claimed yet another clean sheet in a 3-0 win on the road against Peterborough United. Conor Chaplin scored his seventh goal in his last six games while Freddie Ladapo came off the bench to bag his 20th of the season in all competitions.

Next up for Ipswich: Barnsley (A), Exeter City (H), and Fleetwood Town (A).

📊Most goals as a substitute in 22/23 (top four tiers):

7⚽️: ⚡️FREDDIE LADAPO⚡️
5⚽️: Sam Cosgrove, Ryan Hardie, Will Swan
4⚽️: Son Heung-min, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Gerogie Kelly, Manuel Benson, Lucas João, Miles Leaburn, Niall Ennis, Ryan Bowman, Matty Lund#itfc @Ladapo9 pic.twitter.com/nUSr2gpauw

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) April 24, 2023

1st, Swansea City

Last 5: DWWWW

What a turn around for Russell Martin! Just a few weeks ago it sounded like time might be up for the manager but all of a sudden the Swans are in brilliant form and are just three points off of sixth place.

Between February and March, Swansea won just one of ten league games but they’ve now won six of their last seven. 

With two games left to play they’ll have to rely on results elsewhere to go their way for an outside chance of a play-off spot. Although games away to Hull City and at home to West Brom won’t be easy.

Still, it’s easy to see where Swansea need to improve next season: they’re the fourth-highest scorers in the Championship with 64 goals but have shipped 61 – only the bottom three and QPR have left in more.

𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 🤍🖤@LiamJCullen 🦢 pic.twitter.com/9Ynz1VJrxj

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) April 24, 2023