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The win away to QPR sets the table well in terms of table watching for the holiday matches. Come January 3rd -- the trajectory of club could look very different. Come, pull up a chair.
As it stands:
22 played, 31 points, 13th place.
On pace for 64.82 points -- 10th place (via average of the last five years -- see full chart here)
The holiday courses:
- Burton -- 12/26
- Leeds -- 12/29
- @Cardiff -- 1/2
Dumpster fire scenario.
All three courses come out black & possibly on fire. Coal for everyone, losses all around, even the roast beast is gone. 25 matches, 31 points -- on pace for 57.04 points & 16th place. That is probably the end of the promotion dream. It would be tough to make up for that run of losses -- plus the damage it could do to potential transfers.
Five-Star scenario.
Three winning courses. Everything comes out perfect and New Year drinks all around. 25 matches, 40 points --- on pace for 73.60 points & 6th place. For those of you tracking the menu at home -- that is a playoff spot. That certainly is not a guarantee or anything -- but it would be nice to have a seat at the table.
Pub Fare scenario.
Hit and miss. The most likely outcome of 3-6 points from the next three. Three points means a slight drop in projections to 62.56 (11th place). Six points means a slight bump to 68.08 (still 10th place). We would all be clamoring — accurately — that a form bump would be need to make a promotion push.
So there you go -- the table is set and the bread is the oven. Let's see how the meal turns out.
Check please.