In the Premier League, survival is the name of the game for Leeds United and the Whites have boosted their chances of staying up with a great return of points through December. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been central to their upturn and the Sheffield-born player will hope his form can see him named in England’s World Cup squad in the summer.
Survival of a different sort is on the minds of Sheffield Wednesday fans as they await a takeover after the club entered administration in October. Good news came to that end on Christmas Eve when the administrators confirmed they had a preferred bidder, but points deductions mean that they will be playing in League One next season.
Their Steel City rivals Sheffield United made a terrible start to the season but have improved in recent weeks. A run at the play-offs is still possible if they can put a winning run together quickly.
Hull City are in contention for a play-off berth in a congested second tier after a very impressive first half of the season under Sergej Jakirovic.
In League One, Bradford City are trying to secure back-to-back promotions after going up last season and are well-placed to secure a play-off spot or better.
Huddersfield and Barnsley will also hope to finish in the top six but face a real battle after inconsistent spells.
Rotherham and Doncaster will both be focused on picking up the points to move away from the relegation zone in League One, with both teams currently on wretched runs of form.
In League Two, Harrogate face a real battle to keep their Football League status under long-serving boss Simon Weaver. The Sulphurites ended 2025 at the bottom of the EFL.