In the first of our series of play-off analysis articles here at TSZ, we have looked at the number of points each team has required to reach the Championship play-offs since the 1995-96 season.
POINTS PER POSITION
The play-off final is often billed as “the most lucrative game in football”, but what does it take to reach the play-offs in the first place?
A look at the stats suggest that a minimum of 70 points is generally required, with only one side ever sneaking into the play-offs with fewer than this total (Leicester City in the 2012-13 season with 68 points). Meanwhile, Wolves recorded the most points without securing a play-off spot when they gained 78 points in 2014-15.
Most points for a third-placed finish - Sunderland 1997-98 (90 points)
Most points for a third-placed finish without securing promotion - Sunderland 1997-98 (90 points)
Average points for a third-placed finish - 82.9 points
Fewest points for a third-placed finish - Crystal Palace 1995-96 / Hull 2007-08 (75 points)
Fewest points for a third-placed finish but promotion secured - Hull 2007-08 (75 points)
Most third-placed finishes - Ipswich (Three times - 1998-99, 1999-00, 2004-05)
Most points for a fourth-placed finish - Charlton 1997-98 (88 points)
Most points for a fourth-placed finish without securing promotion - Middlesbrough 2014-15 (85 points)
Average points for a fourth-placed finish - 78.7 points
Fewest points for a fourth-placed finish - Stoke 1995-96 (73 points)
Fewest points for a fourth-placed finish but promotion secured - QPR 2013-14 (80 points)
Most fourth-placed finishes - Birmingham (Two times - 1998-99, 2011-12), Cardiff (Two times - 2009-10, 2010-11), Preston (Two times - 2000-01, 2005-06), Reading (Two times - 2002-03, 2008-09), West Brom (Two times - 2006-07, 2018-19)
Most points for a fifth-placed finish - Ipswich 1997-98 (83 points)
Most points for a fifth-placed finish without securing promotion - Huddersfield 2016-17 (81 points)
Average points for a fifth-placed finish - 75.9 points
Fewest points for a fifth-placed finish - Leicester 1995-96 / Crystal Palace 2007-08 (71 points)
Fewest points for a fifth-placed finish but promotion secured - Leicester 1995-96 (71 points)
Most fifth-placed finishes - Birmingham (Three Times - 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01)
Most points for a sixth-placed finish - Fulham 2016-17 (80 points)
Most points for a sixth-placed finish without securing promotion - Crystal Palace 2003-04 / West Ham 2004-05 (73 points)
Average points for a sixth-placed finish - 73.9 points
Fewest points for a sixth-placed finish - Leicester 2012-13 (68 points)
Fewest points for a sixth-placed finish but promotion secured - Blackpool 2009-10 (75 points)
Most sixth-placed finishes - Crystal Palace (Three times - 1996-97, 2003-04, 2005-06)
Most points for a seventh-placed finish - Wolves 2014-15 (78 points)
Average points for a seventh-placed finish - 71.6 points
Fewest points for a seventh-placed finish - Wolves 2005-06 (78 points)
Most seventh-placed finishes - Wolves (Five times - 1998-99, 1999-00, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2014-15)
