What we learned from the first five Championship matches

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With five Championship matches in the books, the international break is here. Accordingly, now feels like the perfect time to take stock and evaluate England’s second tier so far in 2023-24.

The Championship is notorious for being one of the toughest leagues in world football, with a plethora of historic clubs battling for promotion to the Premier League. So, let’s find out who’s hot and who’s not this season.

How are last season’s Premier League teams faring?

Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton were all relegated from the Premier League last term. Out of those teams, Leicester have made the best start to the 2023-24 campaign, winning four of their five matches.

Southampton have also impressed, recording three wins, one draw and one loss. However, the Saints were thrashed 5-0 by Sunderland last time out, meaning they have the worst defensive record in the division.

As for Leeds, they have made a slow start to life in the second tier, winning just one of their five games so far.

Consequently, they find themselves 15th in the table – four points shy of Southampton and six points behind Leicester.

What about the newly-promoted sides?

Believe it or not, Ipswich Town occupy second place in the table after gaining promotion from League One last term.

The Tractor boys have won four of their five games this season, scoring 11 goals along the way.

Plymouth Argyle – last season’s League One champions – have recorded two wins, one draw and two losses, while Sheffield Wednesday are yet to taste victory in 2023-24, having recorded one draw and four losses.

Which teams have started the season strongly?

Preston North End lead the way as we head into the international break. The Lilywhites have picked up four wins and one draw to remain unbeaten, conceding just three goals in the process.

Birmingham City are the only other unbeaten team in the division, as Blues have registered three wins and two draws.

Meanwhile, Norwich City boast the best offensive record, having scored a whopping 14 goals in five outings.

Which sides have struggled so far?

Surprisingly, Middlesbrough find themselves rock bottom of the table after five matches, having taken a solitary point from a possible 15.

Let’s not forget that Michael Carrick’s side finished fourth last season.

Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City have also failed to taste victory in 2023-24, while Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United, Cardiff City, Watford, Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City have all suffered three defeats in five outings.