These type of points could mean big prizes for Potters

THE Championship is famously competitive but it is genuinely even more tight than usual after a third of this season. If you take out the leaders and the bottom six, teams’ points hauls so far are significantly closer than is normally expected at this stage.

- Peter Smith

FLYING HIGH: Mark Robins' Stoke City side currently find themselves in third place in the Championship table.

Normally by 16 games the gap between third and 12th is already double digits, for example, compared to just four as it stands at the moment.

But Stoke City must be buoyed by having 27 points already in the bank, which is traditionally top six pace - and especially compared to preseason expectations.

Now what kind of targets should they be aiming for by Christmas to remain on course for a first concerted playoff push since they returned to this division in 2018? How many more wins from the next 30 games would be needed?

We have pulled together the historical averages per position since the Championship was rebranded back in 2004 and taken a look at what is usually required.

The average finish for the team in second is 92.5 points but has been as low as 79a certain Stoke City, back in 2007/08, and Hull in 2013/14 - and as high as 100, which was Burnley last year.

The average finish for the team in sixth is 77 points but has been as low as 68-in 2013 and 2025 - and as high as 80, in 2017. The way this season has started puts the top six tracker on course for the low 70s.