Newcastle are top of the Sky Bet Championship but just how good are Rafael Benitezs side? Whoscored.com dig into the stats ahead of Sundays clash with Leeds United live on Sky Sports... The return of the Championship is bookended by the two biggest matches of the weekend, with the Sky cameras pitching up at the Amex Stadium for Brightons clash with Aston Villa on Friday night before Newcastles clash with Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday.High-flying Brighton are unbeaten in 10 games and host a resurgent Villa side who are yet to lose under new boss Steve Bruce. Its not an easy game, but it represents a chance for Chris Hughtons charges to move level on points with the team to beat at the top of the table. In the summer the bookies priced up Newcastle as the strongest favourites ever to win the Championship, such was the support behind a club that invested heavily in the transfer market and, crucially, kept hold of a manager whose CV is unrivalled at this level.Rafael Benitezs decision to stay on at St. James Park despite last seasons relegation from the Premier League was arguably the biggest factor behind the Magpies early billing as the second tiers best ever side. Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez was the Sky Bet EFL Manager of the Month for October Optimism was dampened after they lost their opening two matches to Fulham and Huddersfield at the start of the campaign, but having acclimatised to their new surroundings and bedded in a large number of summer arrivals, they are once again being touted as overwhelming favourites, despite Brightons close proximity in the table.A look at WhoScored.coms statistical team ratings actually suggests the Seagulls have been the stronger side over the course of the season. Their score of 7.02 is the highest in the league ahead of Newcastles 6.98, though both figures rank highly in relation to previous promoted sides. Leeds vs Newcastle November 20, 2016, 1:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass In fact, the only two teams to have gone up in the last two seasons with a higher rating than either of this seasons top two are Leicester (7.00), in their title-winning 2013/14 campaign, and Bournemouth (7.04), when they won the league the following season. The subsequent success of both of those sides in the top-flight certainly suggests that both Newcastle and Brighton are well-equipped to make the step up.Moreover, if you were to exclude Newcastles ratings from their first two games of the season, the Magpies WhoScored.com rating would be 7.07. Its a figure that will surely rise further if they continue in their current vein of form, demonstrating that few teams in the Championships history can match the current leaders strength.One of the key factors behind the success of Benitezs side thus far has undoubtedly been their effective movements in the summer transfer window. While Dwight Gayle steals the spotlight in that regard, leading the scoring charts in Englands second tier with 11 goals for a rating of 7.34, the impact of a number of less heralded recruits has been just as decisive. Whoscored.coms top rated Newcastle players this season Of their first team regulars this season, four of Newcastles top six rated players are new arrivals.Top of the list is Ciaran Clark (7.42), who few would have expected to become such a key member of the side. Indeed, when Newcastle announced the capture of the defender from touted promotion rivals Aston Villa, it seemed a slightly odd move at the time. Benitez had already signed Grant Hanley to bolster his defensive ranks, had named Jamaal Lascelles as his captain and could also call upon Chancel Mbemba.In fact, Clarks addition was tipped in the local media to provide competition at left-back as much as centre-half, perhaps reading too much into the fact that the Ireland international had made a handful of appearances in that position at Villa. Ciaran Clark has impressed for Newcastle since his arrival from Aston Villa Make no mistake, though, Clark is central defender, and hes proving to be a very good one at this level. He has scored twice and is offering both the most interceptions (2.1) and clearances (8.1) per game for the club, while Newcastles record with the 27-year old at the back is exceptional.Ironically, the only game in 11 that Clark has not been on the winning side this season was a 1-1 draw back at Villa Park, with the Magpies losing three of five without him in the XI. Rafa not thinking of promotion Rafael Benitez insists hes not thinking about promotion yet. Meanwhile, alongside the impressive Jonjo Shelvey in the middle of the park, Isaac Hayden has also played an important role in ensuring Newcastles defence has been much improved. The Magpies were exposed to counter-attacks last season, but Hayden has provided the necessary protection. His average of 2.6 tackles per game is a team high, with 1.9 interceptions bettered only by Clark, helping him to a rating of 7.25.Along with Gayle, Matt Ritchie was the other real marquee signing and while the winger took a little time to adjust, he has also proven an astute acquisition. With two goals and five assists to his name in the league - the latter is a joint high in the Championship - he is beginning to have the sort of effect Benitez would have hoped in the final third. Matt Ritchie has made a strong start to life at St James Park Ritchie, after all, is a player that has excelled in a title-winning campaign, ranking among the top ten players in the second tier as Bournemouth were promoted, with a rating of 7.44 courtesy of superb figures of 15 goals and 17 assists.Its clear then, that while Newcastles enviable firepower in the form of Gayle, Mitrovic and Perez is seen as their greatest asset, Benitez has built a team that warrants its billing as outright favourites.Their credentials will be tested against an improving Leeds side on Sunday in a fixture steeped in top-flight tradition. While both will certainly be aiming to be back in the big time before long, its the Magpies who are flying right now. They are justifying the hype to make an immediate return appear a near certainty. Also See: Newcastle video Newcastle fixtures Newcastle stats Get a ￡10 free bet! What is the best place to buy knockoff jerseys . 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ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech will bring momentum generated by two straight wins and encouraging injury news into Saturdays rivalry game against Georgia.The return of leading rusher Dedrick Mills from a two-game suspension provides an added boost.An undisclosed violation of team rules forced Mills to sit out the Yellow Jackets wins over Virginia Tech and Virginia the last two weeks. Marcus Marshall, who ran for 127 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown run, in last weeks 31-17 win over Virginia, may retain the starting job at the B-back position he has shared with Mills.Mills, a freshman, also served a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules earlier in the season. He leads Georgia Tech with 578 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns despite missing the three games.It gives us some more depth, coach Paul Johnson said Tuesday when asked about Mills return. Most games weve played both those guys, and Im sure thats what will happen again. Its good to have him back. I think hes a good player.Added Johnson: It never hurts to have one of your better players back playing.Marshall ran for 270 yards the last two games and said after the Virginia game the success made him a more confident runner.It definitely feels good to get some things going, Marshall said. In the game, especially as a running back, once you get some positive plays, it helps you with your confidence and helps you play better. I think it helps me play better.Johnson also expects to have some key players return from injuries.Brad Stewart, tied for second on the team with 115 catches, is expected to play after leaving last weeks game with an ankle injury.ddddddddddddStewart also is the teams punt returner.Freshman left tackle Jahaziel Lee, who missed last weeks game with an undisclosed upper body injury, also is expected to play.Lee and another freshman, left guard Parker Braun, are listed as starters. A third first-year offensive lineman, center Kenny Cooper, started against Virginia Tech.Johnson said Mills, Lee, Braun, Cooper and receiver Jalen Camp have made this a strong class of freshmen on offense.I think that class is going to turn out to be a big class for Georgia Tech, Johnson said.Georgia Tech (7-4) might move up a notch on the Atlantic Coast Conferences pecking order of bowl-eligible teams by beating Georgia. The bigger goal is winning the state rivalry.Beating then-No. 18 Virginia Tech gave the Yellow Jackets a boost. Even so, Saturdays game at Georgia could define the Yellow Jackets season.Johnson said the season could end up being really good or could end up being dead average.Johnson took a win over Georgia in 2008, his first season at Georgia Tech, but then suffered five straight losses in the series before the Yellow Jackets took a 30-24 overtime win in Athens in 2014.Georgia (7-4) has won 13 of the last 15 in the series, including a 13-7 win in Atlanta last year.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '