We have looked at the number of points each team has required to reach the League One play-offs since the 1995-96 season.
POINTS PER POSITION
A look at the stats suggest that a minimum of 68 points is generally required, with only two sides ever sneaking into the play-offs with fewer than this total (Sheffield Utd in the 2013-14 season with 67 points and Bradford in the 2014-15 season with 65 points). Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers and Tranmere recorded the most points without securing a play-off spot when they gained 80 points in 1999-00 and 2002-03 respectively.
Most points for a third-placed finish - Sheff Utd 2011-12 (90 points)
Most points for a third-placed finish without securing promotion - Sheff Utd 2011-12 (90 points)
Average points for a third-placed finish - 83.1 points
Fewest points for a third-placed finish - Grimsby 1997-98 (72 points)
Fewest points for a third-placed finish but promotion secured - Grimsby 1997-98 (72 points)
Most third-placed finishes - Brentford (Three times - 2001-02, 2005-06, 2012-13)
Most points for a fourth-placed finish - Portsmouth 2018-19 (88 points)
Most points for a fourth-placed finish without securing promotion - Portsmouth 2018-19 (88 points)
Average points for a fourth-placed finish - 80.0 points
Fewest points for a fourth-placed finish - Northampton 1997-98 (71 points)
Fewest points for a fourth-placed finish but promotion secured - Yeovil 2012-13 (77 points)
Most fourth-placed finishes - Brentford (Two times - 1996-97, 2004-05), Huddersfield (Two times - 2005-06, 2011-12), Rotherham (Two times - 2013-14, 2017-18)
Most points for a fifth-placed finish - Preston 2014-15 / Sunderland 2018-19(85 points)
Most points for a fifth-placed finish without securing promotion - Preston 2014-15 (85 points)
Average points for a fifth-placed finish - 77.4 points
Fewest points for a fifth-placed finish - Bristol Rovers 1997-98 (70 points)
Fewest points for a fifth-placed finish but promotion secured - Sheff Wed 2004-05 / Barnsley 2005-06 (71 points)
Most fifth-placed finishes - Bradford (Two times - 2015-16, 2016-17), MK Dons (Two times - 2011-12, 2012-13), Millwall (Two times - 1999-00, 2008-09), Preston (Two times - 1998-99, 2013-14), Sheff Utd (Two times - 2012-13, 2014-15), Stoke (Two times - 2001-02, 2002-03), Swindon (Two times - 2003-04, 2009-10)
Most points for a sixth-placed finish - Stoke 1999-00 (82 points)
Most points for a sixth-placed finish without securing promotion - Stoke 1999-00 (82 points)
Average points for a sixth-placed finish - 74.3 points
Fewest points for a sixth-placed finish - Chesterfield 2014-15 (69 points)
Fewest points for a sixth-placed finish but promotion secured - Bradford 1995-96, Crewe Alexandra 1996-97, Millwall 2016-17 (73 points)
Most sixth-placed finishes - Hartlepool (Two times - 2003-04, 2004-05), Huddersfield (Two times - 2001-02, 2009-10), Wigan (Two times - 1998-99, 2000-01)
Most points for a seventh-placed finish - Bristol Rovers 1999-00 / Tranmere 2000-01 (80 points)
Average points for a seventh-placed finish - 71.9 points
Fewest points for a seventh-placed finish - Bradford 2014-15 (65 points)
Most seventh-placed finishes - Bournemouth (Two times - 1998-99, 2000-01), Bristol City (Two times - 2001-02, 2004-05), Leyton Orient (Two times - 2010-11, 2012-13), Tranmere (Two times - 2002-03, 2008-09)
