We're just about into February, but already the Championship title race looks as though it may be over. Leicester City have been formidable in the second tier, winning 22 of their 29 league games since relegation. The Foxes have built a ten-point lead (albeit having played a game more) and look unstoppable. But are they?
Leicester's relegation last season was a strange one. They didn't spend in the transfer windows, which obviously had some effect, but the players already in the squad should've had more than enough quality to survive.
Clearly, those players have woken up this season.
The likes of Wout Faes, James Justin and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have stepped up in a big way in the Championship, complimenting a few new players who have been outstanding in their debut season for Leicester.
Former Arsenal academy player Stephy Mavididi has been something of a revelation for the Foxes, scoring ten goals and registering four assists in the Championship alone. Thomas Cannon is beginning to impress in his first season with the club and Jamie Vardy continues to pop up with the occassional goal, scoring six times in the Championship this campaign.
Unlike many of their Championship rivals however, Leicester spread the goals. Six players in the Leicester squad have scored four or more times, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who is joint top scorer for the Foxes with ten Championship goals.
With Leicester seemingly Premier League-bound, Dewsbury-Hall's decision to stay at the club last Summer has paid off in a big way. He has become the beating heart of the Leicester midfield alongside Wilfred Ndidi, and with the Nigerian out injured, Dewsbury-Hall has taken on a real leadership role in the squad.
Many promoted clubs have to find a way to transition from Championship to Premier League quality, but Leicester are, without doubt, playing Premier League-level football.
So just how good are they? Well according to the stats at least, very good.
Leicester are one of six clubs to have scored triple digit points in the modern format of the Championship. In their title-winning second tier campaign in 2013/2014, the Foxes scored 102 points, nine more than runners-up Burnley.
This wasn't the best Championship title winning season either. Newcastle have won the Championship with 102 points but a better goal difference than Leicester, whilst Sunderland have won it with 105 points and Reading, in the 2005/2006 season, scored an all-time high 106 points in the Championship.
At their current pace, Leicester are on track to score 109 points this season, which would be an all-time second tier record. It's worth noting that they've already played second-placed Ipswich twice as well.
The Tractor Boys had been fighting with Leicester up until the frenzy of Winter fixtures began, but the Premier League and (shockingly for a Championship team) European experience has allowed Leicester to pick their moments and stay formidable throughout the Winter months.
Leicester have 10 wins and 2 draws in their 13 games since the start of December. Not even Premier League leaders Liverpool have been that consistent over the past two months, dropping points four times.
If Ipswich win their game in hand, they'll only be seven points behind the Foxes, which means the title race wouldn't be over. Southampton are on a stunning run of form as well, going unbeaten in their past 22 competitive matches and sit just one point behind Ipswich.
But when you take away the numbers and just watch the football, Leicester are a class above the rest in the Championship. In reality they're a class above a good few Premier League teams as well.
This Leicester team are more than capable of beating the Championship points record, and securing a return to the Premier League. If they continue to play as well as they have to this point, will be a formality.
Especially with several talented young players, their prospects of Premier League survival and beyond are looking extremely promising.
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