Two questions for MJG (if you are inclined to investigate)

[FulhamKC]

1. In what positions have teams in 3rd place after 21 games ended the season over the last several years?

2. The gap between 2nd and 3rd is 10 points as is the gap between 3rd and 16th. That seems unusual to me. Given the gap between 2nd and 3rd in previous seasons, what position is the team the same number of points behind 3rd usually in?

[Sgt Fulham]

To answer your question without the research, it's over.

[The Rational Fan]

Fulham need to beat Leeds, otherwise they have to focus on the playoffs and next season. If we lose to Leeds at home, we have a 14 point gap heading into the summer transfer window. Leeds can almost loan a premier league squad now for free and conditional if promoted they buy them all in the summer.

[MJG]

1. In what positions have teams in 3rd place after 21 games ended the season over the last several years?

2. The gap between 2nd and 3rd is 10 points as is the gap between 3rd and 16th. That seems unusual to me. Given the gap between 2nd and 3rd in previous seasons, what position is the team the same number of points behind 3rd usually in?

1) & 2) Ok well in the table below you can see how many pts 3rd place team had at 21 games in last 10 years. You should take note that we are 3rd on 35 pts, lower than the previous 10 years BUT Forest have a game in hand on us and if they win that will goto 3rd and 37 pts. Without checking I'd say 4th is a point or 2 lower on average.
You can see that the gap from 3rd to 16th does range but its not unknown to be at 10. Also 25 for 16th place is just below avearge by half a point roughly

[MJG]

I put this on my stats thread but relevant I think.

How good do we have to be from now...very good

[FulhamKC]

Thanks MJG.

So, 70% of the time over the last ten years the team in 3rd place after 21 games has qualified for the play-offs. I like our chances.