Chris Wilder is overseeing a resurgence at Bramall Lane, where supporters are finally seeing some sustained improvement.
They played host to high-flying Stoke City at the weekend but were unfazed, blowing the Potters away with goals from Mark McGuinness, Femi Seriki, Patrick Bamford and Sydie Peck.
Over on the blue side of the Steel City, the forecast is considerably cloudier. Sheffield Wednesday are on a grim tally of -10 points at the bottom of the table and at the weekend, were trailing at Blackburn Rovers before the game was postponed.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have made a strong start to life under new boss Kim Hellberg. They were in action under the Friday night lights at the MKM Stadium, completing a 4-1 rout of Hull City.
Elsewhere, Leicester City secured a 3-1 win on the road against Derby County. Millwall also celebrated an away win, defeating fellow promotion hopefuls Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate.
Watford came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Norwich City, while league leaders Coventry City were beaten 3-0 by Ipswich Town. It ended level between Preston North End and Wrexham, who played out a 1-1 draw at Deepdale.
Queens Park Rangers saw off West Bromwich Albion on home turf, Southampton defeated Birmingham City and Swansea City secured three points at Oxford United’s expense.
Following the latest round of fixtures, here is how the data experts at Opta believe the final Championship table will look.
