Walsall are top at Christmas (again) - but how have the last 5 table-toppers fared?

Here is how the last five Christmas table-toppers have fared - including (unfortunately) the Saddlers anticlimactic push for promotion last term.

2024: Walsall - 43 points (finished 4th)

Walsall sat six points clear on December 25 last year - 6 points clear of local rivals Port Vale and boasting a game in hand. 

They would later stretch their lead to 12 points, 15 in the automatic positions, with a club record nine-match winning streak. 

A second half slump which heralded a mere three wins from the final 21 games saw them slip into the lottery of the play-offs. 

Despite beating Chesterfield over two legs to reach the final, Walsall succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon at Wembley. 

2023: Stockport County - 49 points (finished 1st)

Stockport were sitting pretty at Christmas in 2023 thanks in large part to a record-equalling run of 12 consecutive wins between September 9 and November 18. 

An 8-0 demolition of Sutton United followed by a 2-1 pre-Christmas success over Notts County propelled them into a six-point lead at the summit. 

Another eight-match winning streak during the business end of the season sealed the title prior to their final day defeat at second-place Wrexham. 

2022: Leyton Orient - 51 points (finished 1st)

A dominant start for Leyton Orient had catapulted them into a seven-point lead at the League Two summit ahead of the festive period. 

The O's never relinquished top spot and clinched the league title with three games to spare courtesy of a 2-0 home win against Crewe Alexandra. 

2021: Forest Green Rovers - 44 points (finished 1st)

Forest Green were four points clear and boasted a game in hand over second-place Northampton Town on Christmas in 2021. 

Future Saddlers skipper Jamille Matt would go on to score 19 goals alongside top scorer Matty Stevens, who would spend the second half of the next season on loan at Bescot. 

Stevens finished the campaign with 23 goals as Forest Green survived a late wobble to pip Exeter City to the league crown on goal difference. 

2020: Newport County - 37 points (finished 5th)

It was much, much tighter at the top of League Two in 2020, but Newport occupied the summit with a slender one-point lead. 

Former Walsall boss Michael Flynn had inspired Newport to 11 wins from their first 16 games, but an eight-match winless run derailed their title hopes during the winter. 

Cheltenham Town, who sat seventh at Christmas, went on to win the title on the final day, whereas Newport suffered Wembley heartbreak against Morecambe in the play-off final.