Middlesbrough set pace at top as Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United close the gap – YP Power Rankings

Here’s the latest ‘standings’ - have a scroll through and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

1: Middlesbrough LWWWLW (=)

Got a surprise loss at Hillsborough out of their system by way of a confident victory at Wycombe, with Neil Warnock’s side on the coattails of the Championship top six. Ranked fourth in the division’s six-match form guide and possess the fifth best record on home soil.

2: Barnsley WWLWWL (+1)

Lost out narrowly at Norwich in their first outing of 2021, but can look back at a good Christmas after successive derby wins over Rotherham and Huddersfield. Fifth in the Championship’s six-match form guide, the Reds now face a keynote January against several sides at the top end of the table - but first, an FA Cup break against Keith Hill’s Tranmere.

3: Doncaster Rovers LWWWWL (-1)

Unfortunately, Rovers had Christmas off after some coronavirus issues and their scheduled FA Cup game at Blackburn on Saturday will be their first match in 18 days if it takes place. Darren Moore’s side, ranked fifth in League One’s six-match form guide, have the third best statistics at home.

4: Sheffield Wednesday LLWDWW (+5)

The big New Year movers. Wednesday may have sacked Tony Pulis over the festive season, but the managerless club are on their best run of form for the past 12 months, with a return of ten points from the last 12 available lifting spirits and boosting the Owls’ hopes of Championship survival. Wednesday’s form over the last six games is their ninth best in the division. Sustain that and they stay up comfortably.

5: Leeds United LWLWWL (+1)

The good saw Leeds secure a relieving home win over Burnley followed by a brilliant away-day at West Brom. The not-so-good saw them well beaten at Spurs to start 2021. It has been a bit of a topsy-turvy time for United on their return to the top-flight, but most of what they have delivered has been pretty commendable.

6: Bradford City LDWWWD (-1)

City were left disappointed after failing to ride the wave and produce their fourth consecutive win under the stewardship of the interim duo of Mark Trueman and Connor Sellars in a 0-0 home draw with struggling Port Vale, but the wider picture is certainly a lot healthier than it was - albeit with work still to do. The pair have lifted spirits and organisational levels, with City’s six-match form being the seventh best in League Two.

7: Hull City DDLLLW (=)

Deserve a bit of credit for registering a 2-0 win over Charlton in their first outing in just over a fortnight following Covid-19 issues. After successive home league losses just before Christmas, it was just what the doctor ordered.

8: Huddersfield Town LDWLWL (-4)

Town’s bid to record a sixth successive home league win for the first time since the autumn of 2003 floundered by way of a 2-1 weekend reverse to Reading, but their home form is still the sixth best in the Championship. Six games without an away victory - and three defeats in their last four outings on the road - is a more glaring deficiency at the minute.

9: Harrogate Town LLLWLW (+1)

Had a Boxing Day to remember with a fine Roses win at Oldham, but have been stymied by weather issues since. Town’s new year resolution? To improve their home form, which is currently the worst in League Two, with one victory in nine league matches. Although it should be noted their form on their travels is the third best in the division.

10: Rotherham United LLLWLL (-2)

Have done it tough over the Christmas and New Year period due to Covid and weather issues - and a defeat to Barnsley in a game which probably should not have taken place. The Millers, as they do under Paul Warne, are ploughing on and not moaning about their lot. Second-from-bottom in the Championship’s six-match form guide, Rotherham switch to Cup matters at Everton this weekend.

11: Sheffield United LLDLLL (=)

Anchored to the bottom in every way. Unwanted history has seen the Blades set a new record for the longest winless start to the Premier League season (17 games). They are also the first top-flight side to fail to win in their first 17 games since Bolton Wanderers in 1902-03. Simply dreadful.

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