Leeds United have a 64 percent chance of securing Premier League survival this season.
A peek through the top-flight history book, while only including seasons which contested a 38-game league, shows just 29 of the 81 sides to have earned 23 points from 26 games were eventually relegated. In fact, that tally is the same as the Whites registered at this stage last year before escaping the bottom three by beating Brentford on the final day.
Javi Gracia’s side should take comfort - and possibly even inspiration - from previous relegation candidates. Teams such as West Bromwich Albion in '04-05 faced a far more perilous task than Leeds right now.
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Led by Bryan Robson, the Baggies were rock bottom after 26 games on 17 points. However, a spirited fightback in the second half of the season saw West Brom maintain their Premier League status on “Survival Sunday”.
Portsmouth in '05-06 (18 points), Fulham in '07-08 (19 points) and Leicester City in '14-15 (18 points) also managed to stave off relegation. However, there are also a few previous examples of why the Whites should not assume safety.
West Ham United were the unluckiest team in Premier League history when, despite finishing on 42 points, still went down - a record that still stands. The Hammers managed 23 points from 26 games, with six wins from their final 11 fixtures - including just one defeat - not enough to stay up.
In '10-11, Blackpool got off to a flyer, bagging 31 points from 23 games - but their season soon went downhill. Two wins from their final 18 outings condemned Ian Holloway’s side back to the Championship.
No team has managed more points after 23 games and has still been relegated. Wimbledon in '99-00 (29 points) and Ipswich Town in '01-02 (30 points) endured similar fates, highlighting the importance of sustaining a positive run until the end of the campaign.
The '17-18 season may be of significance to Leeds. Five years ago, the relegation picture looked similar to how it is now.
Just seven points separated 19th-placed Huddersfield to ninth in the table. The Terriers, on 24 points from 26 games, ultimately finished four clear of the bottom three.
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