An emotional World Cup is over but there can be no rest for the Power Rankings this week. Games from the Championship, League One, and a couple of League Two games mean we need to get straight back to work.

However, we have had to introduce a quick new rule to the rankings. With so many games called off, we’ve decided that any team who hasn’t played in over two weeks is cut from the rankings. It’s harsh but fair.

Now let’s get on with it...

10th, Wycombe Wanderers

Last 5: WLWDW

There were a lot of stories last week highlighting what a great job Kieran McKenna has been doing at Ipswich Town. But Wycombe were having none of that and thanks to Brandon Hanlan’s goal, won 1-0 over the team that were League One leaders going into the weekend.

After a poor start to the season, Gareth Ainsworth’s side have lost just twice in the league since the start of October and are two points off the play-off places. The Chairboys host Bristol Rovers next on Boxing Day.

9th, Bolton Wanderers

Last 5: WDLWW

The Trotters had no problem sweeping aside Manchester United’s U21 team in the EFL Trophy midweek and followed that up over the weekend with a 2-0 win at home to Exeter City.

The result continues Bolton’s fine form at home. Only Plymouth have won more points (30) than the 23 won by the Wanderers on home turf this season.

Fortunately for Bolton, they’ll be home for their next game too – hosting Derby County on the 27th in a game between two play-off contenders.

🔑 Most short key passes (League One; 2022/23):

4⃣3⃣: Barry Bannan
4⃣1⃣: Leif Davis
3⃣8⃣: Aaron Collins
3⃣2⃣: Sean McConville
3⃣1⃣: Conor Chaplin
2⃣7⃣: 🔥CONOR BRADLEY🔥, Jevani Brown#BWFC @OfficialBWFC pic.twitter.com/0w79Pos61D

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 19, 2022

8th, Stockport County

Last 5: WLDWW

The Hatters can count themselves lucky not to be caught out by the Power Rankings' hastily-assembled new two-week disqualification rule (we’re making this up on the fly like Elon Musk does with Twitter!).

Stockport haven’t played since the 7th of December when they defeated League One Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup. Since then averse weather conditions have called off their short trip to Rochdale and last weekend’s game at home to Gillingham. 

With the forecast looking much better we can expect to see Stockport hosting Crewe Alexandra on the 26th.

7th, Bristol Rovers

Last 5: LDWWW

Two goals for John Marquis helped the Gas turn things around away to struggling Charlton at the Valley.

The win is Rovers’ third in succession in all competitions during a run that has seen them lose just one of their last nine games. Bristol’s league record is even better: Joey Barton’s team have lost only one in their last 12 (defeat to Derby in October). 

That good run sees Rovers just three points off the play-off spots.

💥 Lashing it home! #BristolRovers pic.twitter.com/8EmlgHqO7x

— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) December 18, 2022

6th, Sheffield United

Last 5: WWLWW

The Blades have yet to play their Championship game with Paul Heckingbottom’s team making the drip to the DW Stadium to face Kolo Touré’s Wigan Athletic.

United have won five of their last six games in the league (with Rotherham the only blip) but will need to extend that run to six in seven to keep pace with high-flying Burnley at the top of the table.

5th, Barnsley

Last 5: WLWWW

Should Barnsley win the two games they have in hand over third-placed Sheffield Wednesday, they would move within a point of third and potentially be snapping at the heels of the top two. 

The Tykes won 2-0 against Burton Albion with Devante Cole’s brace meaning Michael Duff’s team have now won seven of their last eight in all competitions.

Barnsley can continue that good form when they travel to Accrington Stanley for their Boxing Day game.

=3rd, Leyton Orient

Last 5: LWWWW

Leyton Orient’s 2-0 win at home to Sutton United was one of just two League Two games that went ahead over the weekend. Paul Smyth opened the scoring followed by an Alistair Smith own goal that will keep Orient fans happy looking at the table over the Christmas period. Richie Wellens’ side now enjoy a comfortable seven-point gap over second-place Stevenage.

Things could get even better for Leyton Orient after Christmas should they win their next game at home to Stevenage on the 27th.

📈 Most league clean sheets this season (top 4 tiers):

13⛔: 🛡LEYTON ORIENT🛡
12⛔: Sheffield Wednesday
11⛔: Preston
10⛔: Coventry, Sheff Utd, Watford, Tranmere#LOFC @leytonorientfc pic.twitter.com/9t3aHHnIzE

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 19, 2022

=3rd, Burnley

Last 5: LWWWW

Burnley were 1-0 down at Turf Moor to Middlesbrough until the hour mark when Manuel Benson scored two goals in quick succession to turn it around. A Jonny Howson own goal eventually sealed a 3-1 win for Vincent Kompany’s team.

Those three goals scored for Burnley mean that they have now scored three or more in each of their last six games.

The Championship leaders are in action midweek in the Carabao Cup when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. Considering United might not be at full strength and that Burnley have been so good this season, an upset could be on the cards.

The cold never stops Comms Cam! @PhilBirdBFC and @jonnojmorgan react to our goals and that red card 🟥👀 pic.twitter.com/JtxMkPT1Rk

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) December 18, 2022

2nd, Accrington Stanley

Last 5: WWWDW

Second place would have gone to Walsall, but they haven’t played a game since December 2nd. Instead, it’s Accrington Stanley who sneak in instead. 

The 'Owd Reds weren’t in action over the weekend but did record a 4-2 win away to Burton Albion in the EFL Trophy midweek. The result means that Accrington have lost just once since the start of November (at home to Sheffield Wednesday).

It does help that Accrington haven’t played a league game since the third but they should be back on Boxing Day when they host Barnsley – a tough game to carry on that good form.

=1st, West Bromwich Albion

Last 5: WWWWW

Carlos Corberán deserves immense credit for the reversal of fortunes he had produced at the Hawthorns in such a short space of time.

The Baggies enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Rotherham United on Saturday that sealed their fifth successive victory in the league. That’s the first time West Brom have won five league games in a row since the end of 2019 in a season that saw them promoted to the Premier League.

Of course, there’s still a lot of work for West Brom. They are currently 16th in the table, five points ahead of safety and just five points behind a play-off spot. With this kind of momentum, the Baggies can look up instead of down.

📈 Most Championship points won fr. 29/10/22*:

1⃣5⃣: 🔼WEST BROM🔼, Burnley, Sheff U
1⃣4⃣: Watford
1⃣3⃣: Boro, Coventry
1⃣2⃣: Preston
1⃣1⃣: Sunderland

* Carlos Corberán's first game as #WBA boss. @WBA have now won more points under CC (15) than under Steve Bruce (14) in 22/23. pic.twitter.com/PTVK8jPRBG

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 19, 2022