EFL New Year’s Day preview: Plymouth look for salvation after Rooney exit

Walsall’s League Two campaign has been nothing short of stellar this season.

Six league wins in a row, 13 unbeaten, and a dozen points clear at the top.

It feels like the West Midlands side would need to take an almighty tumble in order to blow their chance of promotion in the new year.

The table below them is nothing short of extraordinary with just one point separating second-placed AFC Wimbledon and Crewe in eighth.

Third-placed Notts County, who host Walsall on Wednesday, are one of five teams on 37 points.

The Magpies are on a hot streak themselves, winning their past three matches and ending the year with an extraordinary 5-3 win over Cheltenham.

At the other end, none of the bottom six start 2025 feeling safe.

Tranmere, in 19th and four points clear of the relegation zone, take on bottom club Morecambe, who could climb out of the bottom two with a win.

Carlisle’s huge result against fellow strugglers Accrington on Sunday will give them hope at Crewe, while Stanley face promotion-chasers Grimsby.

Swindon and Harrogate will want to make the most of home advantage in their bid to move clear of trouble as they take on Colchester and Salford respectively.

You can follow all the EFL action live on the BBC Sport website starting with Plymouth Argyle v Bristol City and QPR v Watford on 1 January at 12:30 GMT.