What have we learned from the Championship so far?

After eight games of the 46-game Championship season, just seven points separate the top 15 clubs, with Swansea leading on 17 points ahead of QPR, Stoke, Bristol City, Charlton and West Brom; historically only two of the seven previous sides top at this stage with 17 points went on to win promotion. Goal-scoring is up sharply, with 277 goals so far (36 more than last season at the same stage), driven by increased crosses, headers and throw-in goals compared with recent seasons. Bristol City loanee Rio Cardines has six assists, the most of any player in Europe's top leagues, while Burnley are aiming to avoid becoming a six-time yo-yo club.