Hull City stay ahead as Barnsley, Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday all get upwardly mobile - YP Power Rankings

Elsewhere, there are jumps for Barnsley, Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, but a significant drop for Harrogate Town. Here are the latest standings.

1: Hull City WWWWDW (=)

The Tigers are walking in a winter wonderland. Top of League One’s latest six-match form guide, Grant McCann’s side have won seven of their last eight fixtures in all competitions and their last four matches in the league. City, who boast the best away record in the third tier, head to Oxford on Saturday. They will be cock-a-hoop after their victory over Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers.

2: Barnsley LWWLLW (+1)

If you had said to Valerien Ismael that he would win five of their opening eight fixtures in charge, then he would have snapped your hand off when he was unveiled in late October.

It represents serious form and only Brentford have performed better in the second tier since the Frenchman’s arrival.

The Reds are nine places and ten points better than the corresponding point of last season. If that is not progress, nothing is. Attractive encounter with Bournemouth is next up.

3: Middlesbrough DDLWLW (-1)

Faced with their first significant test of character of 2020-21 after a weekend defeat at Huddersfield when they were second best, Boro put their hand up. A deserved victory over high-flying visitors Swansea keeps Neil Warnock’s side in the business area.

Boro’s toils on home soil were well documented last term. So far this season, their haul of 17 home points is the second best in the Championship and they have won four of their past five games at the Riverside. Home comforts again.

4: Doncaster Rovers WLDWWL (-1)

Rovers have suffered just two defeats in their past eight matches in all competitions, but there will be disappointment after their late defeat to Grant McCann’s Hull City. Darren Moore’s side have performed splendidly against League One’s big-hitters, but were just edged out in East Yorkshire. Given their progress under Moore, expect them to bounce back sooner rather than later.

5: Leeds United LWLLDW (+1)

Leeds have made a few statements so far in their Premier League adventure and one arrived at Goodison Park on Saturday with an exhilarating win. United’s last three wins have all arrived on the road and with a clean sheet, to boot. Their away record is the sixth best in the top flight and is more than handy. Let’s hope their prowess on the road continues at Chelsea this weekend. That would be nice.

6: Huddersfield Town LDLDWL (-1)

A bit of a curate’s egg of a season for Town, whose excellent come-from-behind win over Boro was followed by a very disappointing loss at bogey side Cardiff City. The Terriers, who have won just one of their last six outings, are 22nd in the Championship’s six-match form guide.

They have shown real flashes of their potential at times this season, but consistency eludes them. A concession of 22 league goals is also a bit of a worry.

7: Sheffield Wednesday WDLDDD (+2)

Is your glass half-full or half-empty? Let’s be positive, the Owls have lost just once in four matches under Tony Pulis and have proved very hard to beat in classic Pulis fashion.

That was showcased in their midweek draw to Reading when they played for an hour with ten men, but manned the barricades impressively.

On the flip side, they have yet to win under the Welshman and have secured victory just once in their past ten outings, all told. Only Norwich next …

8: Rotherham United LWLLDL (-1)

Despite two encouraging home performances against Brentford and Bournemouth, the fact remains that the Millers picked up one point and have triumphed just once in their past seven outings. A big game at Coventry coming up this weekend. The Millers just need to keep chipping away.

9: Harrogate Town LDLWLL (-4)

To say Harrogate are having a bad week is putting it mildly. After passing up the chance of making history and reaching the third round of the FA Cup after a heavy home loss to Blackpool, Town’s woes were compounded by a sobering 5-2 defeat to Scunthorpe United.

After a bright start, Simon Weaver’s side are doing it tough at the minute with six defeats in their past nine matches in all competitions. They are 22nd in League Two’s latest six-match form guide.

10: Bradford City LDLLLL (=)

Grim is the word you are looking for. City, with no wins in six matches - and five losses in that spell - are having a rough old time of it and are 22nd in League Two’s latest six-match guide. It has to change for a club of that stature as Stuart McCall knows only too well. A big game with Carlisle is next up, although they are all big at the moment.

11: Sheffield United DLLLLL (=)

It never rains, but pours down in torrents by the bucketload. Here are the statistics. The Blades have lost 12 of their last 13 Premier League matches and have picked up a derisory one point from a possible thirty so far this season. Chris Wilder’s side - who have lost their past five games and scored just four league goals this term - welcome Leicester on Sunday.