Barnsley and Hull City on the up but only misery for Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday - Power Rankings

At the bottom, there is pure unadulterated woe for the Steel City as Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday continue to struggle. Have a scroll through our updated standings below and see if you agree or not.

1: Barnsley WWWWWD (+1) – No eighth win on the spin and a continuation of the club’s record winning run at second-tier level on Wednesday maybe, but the bigger picture shows that the Reds are ten matches unbeaten and in fine fettle. Barnsley’s haul of 58 points thus far has equalled their feats in 2016-17 when they had a nibble at the play-offs before selling players that January.

There are still 11 matches left this term to hopefully see the job through. Bournemouth, two points and one place behind Valerien Ismael’s side, who occupy the last play-off position, are next up. A fascinating contest is in store. The Reds are second in the Championship’s six-match guide.

2: Hull City DLWWWW (+2) – The Tigers have reasserted their automatic promotion credentials at a timely juncture and answered a few questions in the process. Tuesday’s fine win at Peterborough took City back to the League One summit with a fourth win on the trot.

Their away form has been eye-catching of late, with a divisional best tally of 40 goals this term and 14 in their last four games on the road. Grant McCann’s side, fourth in the division’s latest six-match guide, are back at home against Oxford this weekend.

3: Harrogate Town LWWWLW (=) – Who says Harrogate cannot win at home? That was the charge levelled at them not so long back, but a return of five wins in their last six League Two matches at Wetherby Road has nailed that particular issue. Fifth in the division’s six-match guide, Town face a tough trip to Forest Green this weekend.

4: Bradford City WWWWDL (-3) – Contrasting fortunes at the death of games in the last two matches for the Bantams, whose dramatic late leveller against Bolton was followed up by a cruel loss with the final kick of the match versus Newport. The big picture is abundantly healthy with City having lost just twice in 16 matches in the brave new world of Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, whose side are fourth in League Two’s latest six-match form analysis.

5: Middlesbrough WWLDWL (=) – Neil Warnock’s anger has probably not subsided yet following the controversial events at Swansea at the weekend - when he lambasted referee Gavin Ward after Boro were on the receiving end of some tough calls, not for the first time this term. Boro must now refocus and move on.

Next up are two successive home games versus Stoke and Preston which must be won if the Teessders are to retain a semblance of interest in the play-off race. Their recent home form has been lousy.

6: Doncaster Rovers LDLWWL (=) – After two successive wins, Andy Butler has now experienced the sensation of defeat for the first time in his tenure following a midweek loss at Crewe - play-off candidates Rovers’ fourth successive road reverse in League One. They will be pleased to be back home against Northampton on Saturday. Doncaster’s home form is the second best in the division.

7: Rotherham United LLLLLW (+1) – Inactive due to another untimely bout of Covid-19 in their ranks, the Millers must now negotiate a fixture itinerary which will constitute an almighty test with 14 games remaining in their season which is due to end on May 8 - minus a two-week international break, of course.

If Rotherham are to stay up, their home form will need to improve. They have won just once on their past seven outings.

8: Leeds United WLLWLL (-1) – Steady enough in terms of their league placing maybe, but a run of four defeats in five outings - and five losses in their past seven matches - constitutes a disappointment for Leeds. Previously, they have proved proficient in reacting well to losses. A victory over old rivals Chelsea on Saturday would do nicely.

9: Huddersfield Town LWLLDD (+1) – Town may have won just once in 13 outings and currently be on a four-match winless streak, but their gutsy recent draw with form side Cardiff at least indicates that they at least possess the fight, spirit and organisation for the crunch battles ahead as they endeavour to retain their Championship status for the second season running.

Carlos Corberan’s side have the eighth best home record in the division, but their away form is poor and they are without a win since the end of October. They visit QPR on Saturday before a huge relegation ‘six-pointer’ at Hillsborough on Wednesday.

10: Sheffield United WLLLWL (-1) – The end of the season cannot come fast enough, from a league perspective for the Blades, who are destined for a Championship return and in the departure lounge.

Chris Wilder’s rock-bottom side, who succumbed to an 11th home loss of a wretched campaign at Bramall Lane last weekend, still have ten matches to negotiate. Their only real live interest is in the FA Cup. They visit Chelsea on Sunday week.

11: Sheffield Wednesday LLLLLLL (=) – Currently on their worst run of form since late 2012 when they lost seven league games on the spin. Wednesday will equal that damning statistic if they lose to leaders Norwich on Sunday, which looks like the worst possible game in the circumstances, even if the Championship does strange things from time to time. The Owls, 24th in the Championship’s latest six-match guide, welcome Huddersfield in a huge game in midweek.

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