Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
Sheffield United and Hull City have had very different starts to the Championship season.
Sheffield United were backed as title contenders, but a winless start under Ruben Selles saw him sacked and the Blades reappoint Chris Wilder in his place.
At Hull, there appears to be no hangover from their relegation-threatened season last term, in which Selles kept the Tigers safe from the drop.
Unfortunately for Selles, his exit from the MKM Stadium and move to Sheffield United did not go to plan.
On the contrary, one striker’s decision to dodge a move to the Blades in favour of Hull has proven to be an outstanding move.
Oli McBurnie rejected Sheffield United return, now he’s Hull City’s signing of summer
After five years at Sheffield United, Oli McBurnie joined Spanish outfit Las Palmas in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer.
The Scottish striker scored five goals and notched six assists in 35 outings for the top flight Spanish side before returning to English football with Hull in the summer transfer window.
Sheffield United, Hull, Swansea and Ipswich wanted McBurnie this summer, but the veteran forward chose the Tigers.
McBurnie opted for Hull after the Blades made an offer lower than both Hull and Swansea, and they may regret that decision now amid their woes after his wonderful start to the season.
The Second Tier podcast believe that McBurnie’s year at Las Palmas has “turned him into a beast”, and that has been evident with his three goals and three assists from his first six games of the season at Hull.
Hull may be nicknamed the Tigers, but McBurnie has taken that literally with his roaring performances, pressing from the front like a man possessed, whilst providing a clinical edge.
Given that Hull were limited to loan signings and free agent moves this summer due to their EFL-imposed restrictions, their signing of McBurnie has proven to be an inspired acquisition.
Oli McBurnie rivals Bristol City star in impressive Championship stat
McBurnie’s best performance of the season so far came in Hull’s dramatic 3-2 win over Oxford United, in which the Scotsman assisted two before scoring the winner in injury-time.
Jakirovic heaped praise on McBurnie following his man-of-the-match display against Oxford, which will have rubbed salt in the wounds of the second tier clubs that he rejected in the summer.
After failing to find the net in Hull’s next two games, McBurnie was back to his best following the international break, with a goal against Swansea in the 2-2 draw earlier this month.
Following his outstanding display in Hull’s 3-1 win over Southampton at the weekend, McBurnie now rivals Bristol City star Anis Mehmeti for combined goals and assists so far this Championship season, with six.
With a visit to Watford, who were beaten by Millwall on Monday night, McBurnie will be searching for his seventh goal contribution in as many games for the roaring Tigers.