In the Championship nothing is ever certain or predictable, such is the nature of the division. And yet, despite there being 14 games still to play, it seems reasonably safe to say Leicester City look destined to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Foxes sit on an incredible 78 points, with 42 points still up for grabs. Reading’s record 106 points total from the 2005/06 season looks in real danger of not just being beaten, but smashed. In what is shaping up to be a record-breaking season, it also appears it could take a record points total to secure second place and automatic promotion.
Four years ago Marcelo Bielsa led Leeds back to the promised land, ending 16 years of hurt. A Championship title was secured in an empty stadium during Covid, with Leeds posting a final total of 28 victories, nine draws and nine defeats for 93 points.
There’s every chance 93 points won’t be enough for second let alone the title this year, with the Whites and Southampton looking to shake off the challenge of Ipswich Town to play out their own two-horse race for second place. Pushing each other all the way, every game is likely to feel like a must-win and that should drive even greater standards than we’ve already seen.
Sitting on 66 points from their 32 games played so far, Daniel Farke’s men are already ahead of Bielsa’s side. Unbeaten at Elland Road this season, Leeds are on course to finish on around 96 points, which would stand as their best-ever season in the second tier. At the same stage under Bielsa, Leeds also sat second in the table (behind West Brom), but were on 53 points, a huge 13 points less than they currently have.
