Leicester are set for an instant return to the Premier League in stunning style. 

The Foxes have won 13 of their 14 matches in the Championship and already seem certainties to clinch automatic promotion. 

It has been the brightest start of any second-flight team in England for well over 100 years. 

Ahead of Leicester's clash with third-place Leeds on Friday night, we take a look at what is going right with Enzo Maresca's side. 

Defensive rocks

With 39 points from a possible 42, Leicester have made the best start of any side in the second tier since Bristol City recorded the same tally in the 1905-06 season. 

So what makes them so good? Like a lot of dominant teams, it starts with controlling possession. 

On average, Leicester have the ball in 63.4% of their games. Only Southampton on 63.9% have bettered that. 

Having so much control means that there is less defending to do but when called upon, the Foxes are coping well. 

They have only conceded eight goals, with fifth-place West Bromwich Albion (14) having the next meanest defence in the Championship. 

This has been achieved with a back four built around personnel that were at the club last season when their leaky defence let in 68 goals in the Premier League. 

Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes have been the most common combination at centre-back, with Conor Coady providing experienced competition. 

At full-back, Ricardo Pereira plays in an inverted role on the right to add numbers to the midfield, while James Justin slots across as a third central defender on the left. 

Quality performers

Leicester are also the joint-highest scorers in the Championship alongside second-place Ipswich with 29 goals. 

Despite losing the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes over the summer, the Midlands club were able to retain some quality performers in midfield and attacking areas. 

Wilfred Ndidi has impressed in a roaming role and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is providing the cutting edge with five goals and six assists. 

Harry Winks has been brought in to control the play and showed off his quality with a stunning winner against QPR at the weekend. 

Further forward, either Jamie Vardy or Kelechi Iheanacho leads the line but are expected to drop deep to link play. 

That helps to create space for wide players Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu. 

Maresca boost

Leicester manager Maresca arrived from Manchester City in the summer, where he had been working as an assistant to Pep Guardiola. 

The Italian has spoken about the challenges he has faced since taking over a relegated club. 

Maresca said: "I always said the same, to change something is possible but to change something quickly, it's impossible. 

"When there is a relegation, most of the players are going to leave and the players that stay are mentally not perfect because of the relegation. 

"You need to work with the new players to let them understand what kind of club this is and with the players that stay here, you need to work with them and to give them energy." 

Maresca has made a big impact, boosting the mood and providing tactical innovation. 

It is only November but Leicester are in the charmed position of being already able to start planning for their return to the Premier League.