25/05 - 15:00
Through all the postponed games and festive fun, the Playmaker Power Rankings keep going as always. There's still been plenty of action so there's some big changes in this week's rankings with one other team joining Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers at the top.
Last 5 (league): WWWWD
Unfortunately, Wednesday’s game between Forest Green and Exeter City has already been called off – making it the fourth postponed game in a row for Rob Edwards team.
We’re all still waiting for a sequel to the thrilling 5-5 draw with Oldham Athletic earlier this month, which will hopefully be Saturday’s game against Stevenage – game that, for now, is still going ahead.
Last 5: WWWWD
The Reds’ Boxing Day game at home to Leeds United was called off due to the visitors having an insufficient number of players, which means Liverpool's match tomorrow will be a rematch of the last week’s Carabao Cup game.
Liverpool looked to have been caught out when Leicester City were 3-1 up at Anfield with just over half an hour gone. But a dramatic last-second equaliser from Takumi Minamino took the game to penalties that sent Jurgen Klopp’s team through. The Foxes conceded six against Manchester City, so Liverpool know they shouldn’t have any issues scoring three again.
📈 Best #PL minutes-per-goal rates fr. 2020/21 (15+ goals scored):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 20, 2021
1⃣2⃣3⃣: JOTA
1⃣2⃣7⃣: Salah
1⃣6⃣4⃣: Calvert-Lewin
1⃣7⃣0⃣: Vardy
1⃣7⃣5⃣: Kane
1⃣7⃣6⃣: Lacazette
1⃣7⃣9⃣: Wilson
1⃣8⃣5⃣: Bamford, Son
1⃣8⃣6⃣: Gundogan
1⃣9⃣5⃣: Fernandes#LFC #YNWA pic.twitter.com/jbzQXKZBOU
Last 5: WWWDW
Portsmouth’s game at home to Oxford United was one of the many fixture casualties over the festive period and it feels like a long time since Pompey defeated Morecambe 2-0.
Their next game, if it goes ahead, will be a more difficult fixture though. Danny Crowley’s team are due to travel to Plymouth in a game that could move Pompey into the play-off spots.
Last 5: WWWDW
Antonio Conte’s team haven’t lost a game since that shock 2-1 defeat away to Mura in the Europa Conference League… that is if you don’t count being handed a 3-0 loss to Rennes by UEFA. Domestically, Conte is undefeated at Spurs.
Tottenham made no mistake against 10-man Crystal Palace, with Lucas Moura scoring one and assist two goals – the Brazilian’s second man-of-the-match performance in a row.
Last 5: WWDWW
Nottingham Forest were on a good run until they ran into Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough, who have now won four of their last five in the Championship. A Forest own goal and Andraz Sporar scoring for the second game in a row gave Boro all three points.
What will please Wilder the most is that his side hasn’t conceded a goal since Luke Daniels’ unfortunate ping pong of an own goal when Middlesbrough beat Huddersfield Town at the end of November.
🎶 "He's Slovenian..."
— Middlesbrough StatZone (@MiddlesbroughSZ) December 27, 2021
Another goal for @andrazsporar90 yesterday & another big win for #Boro at the Riverside.💪#UTB @BraddanHire pic.twitter.com/uPoTvr7JPQ
Last 5: DWWWW
Northampton are hanging in the Playmaker Power Rankings by the virtue of the fact that they haven’t played a game since December 11th. Games against Barrow, Walsall, and Scunthorpe United have all been postponed with the Cobblers potentially next in action on New Year’s Day when they travel to Swindon Town.
Last 5: DWWWW
Paul Heckingbottom has done a pretty remarkable job so far at reversing Sheffield United’s fortunes – not bad for a former Sheffield Wednesday player from Barnsley. Last Monday, United managed to hold on and take all three points at Craven Cottage after Iliman Ndiaye’s early goal.
The Blades were 17th in early November but are now all the way up to 9th and looking further ahead.
Last 5: WWWWW
Ben Brereton’s goalscoring feats had to take a break after Blackburn’s Boxing Day clash away to Hull City was postponed. It’s a pity for Tony Mowbray’s team as they were charging up the Championship table and are now just three points off the top.
The Blue and Whites are scheduled to host struggling Barnsley at Ewood Park on Wednesday.
🥇Most productive South Americans in 21/22 (#UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues + C'ship):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 22, 2021
20⚽️: 🇨🇱BEN BRERETON DÍAZ (19/1)*🇨🇱
14⚽️: Giovanni Simeone (12/2), Vinícius Júnior (10/4)
13⚽️: Duvan Zápata (9/4), Lautaro Martínez (11/2)
*(⚽️/🅰️)#Rovers pic.twitter.com/Ex10Meos2X
Last 5: WWWWW
You can’t accuse Pep Guardiola’s team of not providing Christmas entertainment when they beat Leicester City 6-3 on Boxing Day. The Citizens have scored an amazing 17 goals in their last three and games and won their last nine in a row in the Premier League.
Brentford might well be hoping their trip to the Etihad on Wednesday is called off.
📈Yet to concede 20 league goals this season (top four tiers):#PL: Man City (9), Chelsea (12), Wolves (14), Liverpool (15), Brighton (17), Tottenham (19)
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 22, 2021
Ch: West Brom (17), Fulham (19)
L1: Rotherham (15)
L2: Tranmere (14), Northampton (17)#ShoeArmy #TRFC #rufc #WBA #FFC pic.twitter.com/S2XyeAGg0h
Last 5: WWWWW
Although Harrogate Town were able to knock Tranmere Rovers out of the EFL Trophy last week, in the league Tranmere have been almost perfect. Micky Mellon’s team have won their last five League Two games in a row – conceding just a solitary goal in the process. Indeed, no EFL team has conceded fewer goals in 2021 than Tranmere.
📈 Least league goals conceded in 2021 (#EFL; exc P/Os):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 27, 2021
39⚽️: 💙TRANMERE🤍
41⚽️: Salford
46⚽️: Blackpool, Nottingham Forest
47⚽️: Rotherham#TRFC #SWA pic.twitter.com/3pNIeBxBKi
