Already this looks being a much more open Championship promotion race than last season, mirroring a more competitive picture across the divisions.

Three teams – Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United – were streets ahead in 2024-25 until the Blades dropped off in the run-in.

All had parachute payments, and were already in the top five by last October's international break, with just two defeats between them.

Twelve months on, Leicester City are the only parachute team in the top five, with Southampton in the bottom eight and the Blades propping up the division.

CENTURIONS: But Chris Wilder is not expecting the same points tallies champions Leeds United and promoted Burnley set in last season's Premier League (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

placeholder image — CENTURIONS: But Chris Wilder is not expecting the same points tallies champions Leeds United and promoted Burnley set in last season's Premier League (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

It bodes well for clubs like Middlesbrough, second with 18 points from nine games.

The average tally to finish in the top two over the past 10 years is 91.1, and the lowest 83. Last season's 100 was an all-time second-tier record.

"I don't think two teams will get 100 points this season," says Sheffield United's experienced Championship manager, Chris Wilder.

"There's some real talented teams – Ipswich and Southampton are right up there – and formidable sides knocking on the door in Middlesbrough, Coventry, West Brom and Norwich.

PREDICTION: Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder (Image: Tony Johnson)

"Stoke under Mark Robins, Paul Heckingbottom at Preston and Alex (Neil) at Millwall have had good starts.

"Leicester, we don't know what's happening there with a (possible) points deduction, but they're an incredibly talented group.

"I don't think three teams will pull away like last season'."

It is not just the Championship. Ipswich Town and Southampton went into last October’s break yet to win in the Premier League. Leicester City had, but had only six points.

Those three went down with a combined total comfortably the worst in history for the relegated sides.

Burnley have four points, but Leeds have eight and Sunderland an impressive 11. Wolverhampton Wanderers are the only side yet to win – there were four last year.

Premier League parachute payments should Luton Town way ahead financially in League One, as Birmingham City and Wrexham were last year.

But whereas Birmingham and Wrexham were the top two 12 months ago and stayed there, Luton are coming from 11th, having sacked Matt Bloomfield after a poor start.

Newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers are in the top 10, Wimbledon the play-off places and Bradford City second.