EFL preview: Who will end 2024 on top?
We may be approaching year's end, but our industrious EFL sides are still only at the hump of a lung-busting campaign.
For most Championship sides, Boxing Day marked the midway point of the marathon, and while the finish line may still be a mere blur on the horizon, the end is at least now closer than the beginning.
Leeds hold the edge in tight top three
Leeds are looking like the real deal for a return to the top flight this season and after a string of impressive performances, finally reached the Championship summit on Boxing Day.
The Whites, top on goal difference from Sheffield United, have reeled off seven wins from their past nine matches as they head to Derby for a teatime kick-off.
But if there is a chink in the armour, it is on the road. Daniel Farke's men have dropped points in six of their past eight away games.
Having lost their place at the head of the table, the Blades have the chance to snatch it straight back - for a few hours at least.
Chris Wilder's side saw their 11-match unbeaten run ended by automatic promotion rivals Burnley, three days ago, and head to 16th-placed Preston for one of the three 12:30 kick-offs.
The Clarets will carry chockfuls of confidence from their Bramall Lane win as they face a second tricky away test in three days - a trip to seventh-placed Middlesbrough (20:00 GMT).
Scott Parker's charges head to Teeside unbeaten in 10 and will ring in the new year as Championship leaders if they win and the top two both drop points.
For their part, Boro's hit-and-miss season was epitomised in 90 chaotic minutes against Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday when they led 3-0 at half-time, but were left hanging on for a 3-3 draw.
Stoke still searching for the answers
There will be familiar grumblings and concerns among Stoke fans as they head towards the Bet365 Stadium after Narcis Pelach's sacking on Friday.
The Spaniard's marching orders came after just 19 games and a smidge over three months, and leaves the Potters looking for their third manager of the campaign - and a seventh permanent boss in as many seasons since dropping out of the top flight.
Former Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross will take interim charge - for the second time this season - as they face promotion-chasing Sunderland seeking to end a winless nine-match streak.
The Mackems seem to have found the right recipe under Regis le Bris and sit handily-placed in fourth and just four points adrift of the top two.
Rowett's bounce meets Rooney's away day blues
In the table's lower reaches, much of the attention will be at the Kassam Stadium where Oxford host rock-bottom Plymouth.
Gary Rowett enjoyed the bounce of the new manager on Boxing Day when he guided the U's out of the bottom three in his first match in charge - a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Cardiff.
In contrast to his buoyant carefree opposite number, Pilgrims boss Wayne Rooney will turn up for work with pressure and speculation building.
Boxing Day's 4-0 surrender at Coventry was Plymouth's fifth defeat in six and left them without a win since Bonfire Night.
On the road, their form has been particularly grim, conceding 16 goals and scoring once in four straight defeats, yet Rooney insists he remains the man for the hotseat.
"I'm sure the fans have questions, I'm sure a lot of people from the outside will, and I'll do my best to answer them as best I can," he said.
Pirates begin new era under Calderon
Inigo Calderon has asked for passion as he takes charge as Bristol Rovers head coach for the first time.
The former Brighton defender watched from the stands as the Pirates fell to a fourth defeat in five in League Two at Exeter on Saturday.
Rovers are just three points above the drop zone in 19th and will be seeking a first win since 23 November when they head to 16th-placed Stevenage.
Wycombe will leap to the summit if they can avoid defeat at mid-table Charlton in the lunchtime kick-off.
Yet Birmingham, who lead League One by a point and with a game in hand, will be favourites to see out the day in top spot with a home game to Blackpool, in 15th, to follow at 15:00 GMT.
Chris Davies' men are rolling into 2025 like a juggernaut with eight straight wins in all competitions, and have taken 26 points from a possible 30 on home turf this season.
Completing a top-three separated by three points, Wrexham will fancy an 11th home league win of the season when they entertain Wigan, while chasing Huddersfield, in fourth, host rock-bottom Burton.
Saddlers in charge in League Two race
Walsall opened up a commanding nine-point lead at the top of League Two by beating promotion rivals Doncaster on Boxing Day.
And Mat Sadler could build an even more handsome advantage if they secure a sixth straight league win at home to lowly Newport.
Port Vale, who themselves were riding high at the top just a few weeks back, will be desperate to halt their slide and pick up a first league win in seven matches.
Darren Moore's side face eighth-placed Grimsby who sit just three points behind the Valiants in a tightly-packed cluster.
Doncaster are clinging on to the last automatic promotion place and take on improving Colchester, with Crewe, AFC Wimbledon, Chesterfield and Notts County all waiting to pounce.
