It’s the final Playmaker Power Rankings of 2022, we’re not going to dwell on it though as there’ll be some new rankings right around the corner.

Funnily enough, no League One sides feature this week showing just how competitive the third tier is. Accrington Stanley were the L1 team closest to making it but they were just shy of the top ten.

So, who made it then? Let’s see...

=7th, West Bromwich Albion

Last 5: WWWLW

We have four teams on equal footing in seventh place so we’re going to go by their order in the league tables. 

West Bromwich Albion are enjoying their revival under Carlos Corberán and bounced back after their winning run of five was stopped by Coventry City. The Baggies recorded a 2-0 win away to Bristol City on Monday with Matt Phillips on target and Brandon Thomas-Asante scoring his third goal in five games under his new manager.

Although West Brom are 14th in the Championship they’re actually only three points behind fifth-placed Norwich City.

=7th, Middlesbrough

Last 5: WWWLW

Like West Brom, Middlesbrough are much improved under their new boss. Michael Carrick’s side lost to league-leaders Burnley before Christmas but they celebrated Boxing Day victory with a thumping 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic. 

Chuba Akpom’s hat-trick put the striker top of the goalscoring charts in the Championship, level with Coventry City’s Viktor Gyökeres on 12.

Boro do have a potentially tricky tomorrow when they take on Blackburn Rovers, although that depends on which Blackburn turns up.

📈 Best Championship Assist » Scorer duos (2022/23):

4⚽: 🅰RYAN GILES ⏩ CHUBA AKPOM⚽
3⚽: Jack Clarke » Ross Stewart
3⚽: Carlton Morris » Elijah Adebayo
3⚽: Juninho Bacuna » Scott Hogan
3⚽: Nahki Wells » Tommy Conway #Boro @Boro pic.twitter.com/7fxvgMPJI1

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 27, 2022

=7th, Burnley

Last 5: WWWLW

The Clarets weren’t quite able to match Manchester United’s level in the Carabao Cup game but they showed that they’re too good for the Championship once again.

Vincent Kompany’s side were comfortable in their 3-0 win at home to Birmingham City, helped by Anass Zaroury giving them the lead within the first minute.

Burnley are already on 50 points with only Sheffield United able to keep up with their pace.

=7th, Manchester City

Last 5: WWWLW

The Citizens are set to make their Premier League return this evening when they travel to Leeds United, so we’ll have to judge them on their last game – an entertaining 3-2 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Their reward was a quarter-final fixture away to Southampton to be played in just a few weeks' time.

▶ Average 60%+ possession (top 4 tiers; 2022/23):

PL: Man City (67%)
Ch: Swansea, Burnley (both 64%)
L1: Ipswich (61%)
L2: Salford (60%)#ManCity #Swans #UTC #ITFC #Ammies pic.twitter.com/LSwchZGCoQ

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 27, 2022

6th, Arsenal

Last 5: WWLWW

Saïd Benrahma opened the scoring for West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal were always the better side. The Gunners’ quality showed through and two goals in the space of five second-half minutes turned the tide before Eddie Nketiah applied the finishing touch to a 3-1 win.

Mikel Arteta’s team have an impressive 40 points from 15 games but may face a sterner test when they travel to Brighton on New Year’s Eve.

=4th, Sheffield United

Last 5: LWWWW

As we mentioned, the Blades are the only team in the Championship capable of keeping pace with Burnley. United also did one thing that Burnley didn’t do: defeat Coventry City.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side were efficient in front of goal but Wes Foderingham deserves credit for keeping out Viktor Gyökeres' penalty which would have allowed Coventry to equalise.

Next up for Sheffield United is a trip to Blackpool as they hope to keep the pressure on the league leaders.

=4th, Manchester United

Last 5: LWWWW

Manchester United fans were able to enjoy the resurgence of Marcus Rashford as the England forward opened the scoring in the Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last night. Although the performance of Casemiro in midfield was a joy to watch.

United are now just one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand. Erik ten Hag’s side even have a positive goal difference now.

👨‍🏫 Straight off the training ground. @ChrisEriksen8 ➡️ @MarcusRashford#MUFC || #MUNNFO

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 28, 2022

3rd, Leyton Orient

Last 5: WWWWD

Orient missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the League Two table but a draw isn’t a bad result considering they maintain their seven-point lead over second-place Stevenage. Both Leyton Orient and Stevenage cancelled each other out at Brisbane Road.

Richie Wellens’ side kept another clean sheet and their 12 goals conceded is the fewest by any EFL team so far this season.

2nd, Newcastle United

Last 5: WDWWW

The Magpies picked up exactly where they left off by dispatching Leicester City at St James’ Park. Chris Wood opened the scoring from the penalty spot after just three minutes and then the game was practically over in the seventh minute after a beautiful attacking move that was finished by Miguel Almirón. The Paraguayan really is in the form of his life.

Newcastle face Leeds United at home on New Year’s Day but we can help but look a bit further forward to Eddie Howe’s team travelling to the Emirates to take on Arsenal on the 3rd of January. It will be a huge game for both sides.

📊Longest unbeaten runs in 22/23 (#UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues):

1⃣5⃣: PSG*, Napoli*
1⃣2⃣: Real Madrid
1⃣1⃣: ⚫️NEWCASTLE*⚪️, Rennes*
1⃣0⃣: Atalanta
9⃣: Arsenal*, Man City

*current runs#NUFC pic.twitter.com/mVmFz2fCI5

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 27, 2022

1st, Walsall

Last 5: DWWWW

...And top of the final Playmaker Power Rankings of 2022 is Walsall! 

It’s strange to think that the Saddlers went 12 games without a win between mid-August and early October. Now they’re nine unbeaten and have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions.

That good form has put them on the verge of moving back into the play-off spots, with Walsall now just two points behind seventh-placed Barrow.

Next up they host Stockport County knowing that results elsewhere could see them potentially even move as high as fourth. Quite the turnaround for a team that was in the bottom half of the table just a few months ago.

🤩 𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PZXTVFUjQP

— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) December 26, 2022