Sunderland could reach the summit of the EFL promoted teams table if they beat Wigan Athletic on Wearside this weekend. The Black Cats have earned 17 points since returning to the Championship - a tally that puts them third out of the nine clubs who won promotion either into the EFL, or from one EFL division into the next, at the end of last season.
Grimsby Town, who were promoted via the play-offs to League Two, currently lead the way with 19 points from their 12 games so far. Exeter City, who made the step up to League One after finishing as runners-up in League Two last term, are second with 18 points from their first 12 games in the third tier.
Then come Sunderland with 17 points from 13 games. Saturday''s opponents Wigan were promoted from League One as champions last season and they have 16 points from 12 Championship games, while League One runners-up Rotherham United have 15 points, also from a dozen games.
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Port Vale also have 15 points from 12 League One games, following their promotion via the League Two play-offs. Bristol Rovers, who were promoted to League One last season, and Stockport, who were promoted to League Two, have both collected 12 points.
Forest Green, who were promoted to League One as champions, bring up the rear with 11 points. If Sunderland win against the Latics, they leapfrog Exeter and Grimsby to go top of the promoted clubs table - although it will also depend how the Mariners fare at Stockport on Saturday, and how Exeter get on in their games at Charlton tomorrow and then at home to Oxford United on Saturday.
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