An international break gives us the chance to take stock of how the Championship has been panning out and who look like genuine promotion candidates. Many people will be surprised that Southampton currently sit top of the pile, but Nigel Adkins’ men look like they could be real contenders this term.

Having won promotion from League One last season and losing young star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the summer, several pundits would have been expecting a season in the bottom half of the table for Saints. But they have taken to life in the Championship like a duck to water and have a 100 per cent record at St Mary’s.

In Rickie Lambert, Saints (5/4 to win promotion) have the joint top goalscorer so far this season, with the former Bristol Rovers man banging in eight goals already. Adam Lallana has also highlighted his ability in tandem with Lambert, while Southampton’s defensive record is also impressive – with just 12 goals conceded in 10 games.

Middlesbrough (13/5 to win promotion) are hot on the heels of the league leaders and are the only team in the division unbeaten at this stage, with five wins and five draws. Tony Mowbray has done a fantastic job in a short space of time and has experience of winning promotion to the Premier League with West Brom.

The former centre back has built a solid foundation at Boro, having had to stave off the threat of relegation last term. The only worry for Mowbray will be the lack of goals in recent times, with Boro relying heavily, at present, on midfielder Marvin Emnes.

West Ham (5/2 to win Championship title), currently fourth, remain the bookies favourites to go up and have arguably the strongest squad in the division. Sam Allardyce’s men are unbeaten in five away games to date, but the Upton Park form will be a concern – with the Hammers already losing twice, to Cardiff and Ipswich.

Of the chasing pack, Hull City (6/1 to be promoted) are enjoying the best run of form at present and look real contenders under the shrewd leadership of Nigel Pearson. Having struggled for goals earlier in the season, the loan capture of Martyn Waghorn looks to have inspired the Tigers.

Hull are on a six-game unbeaten run and with an impressive away record over the last 12 months, will believe they can secure a top-six spot come May. We will get a better idea of their credentials after the break though, with a trip to Brighton to come on October 15.

Leicester (5/1 Championship Outright) have spent a lot of money and the expectations appear to be weighing heavily on Sven Goran Eriksson’s men. Consistency is lacking with the Foxes, but should they find their feet, they must surely be contenders for automatic promotion.

After a poor start, Ipswich have all of a sudden sneaked up to 10th, following a four-game unbeaten run. Michael Chopra looks to have found his shooting boots and the recent addition of Keith Andrews has given the Tractorboys a real lift.

Derby are sitting in third but their recent 4-0 drubbing at Leicester suggests they are punching above their weight, although Nigel Clough has to be praised for the way he has turned around the Rams fortunes on a tight budget.

Cardiff and Blackpool will both believe the play-offs, at least, are within their grasp this term, while Leeds (6/1 to win promotion) can still mount a top-six challenge if they can tighten up at the back and keep Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio fit.

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