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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Points tally needed for League One play-offs as clear Bolton Wanderers target emerges

Bolton Wanderers still have a chance of reaching the play-offs in League One this season.

Wanderers are nine points from the top six with seven games of their campaign remaining.

When the international break is over and the action resumes for Wanderers, they have a huge derby clash on the road against Wigan Athletic to keep their hopes alive.

READ MORE: Sam Allardyce pinpoints Bolton Wanderers match which helped define his management career

And in the days after that, home games versus Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday follow, two sides who like Bolton have hopes of the play-offs this campaign.

Wanderers currently sit on 58 points and are nine points from the top six.

Sunderland, the team currently in sixth position, are on 67 points as things stand with seven matches themselves left to play.

And looking at previous totals that sides who have finished sixth after 46 games in League One over the previous five seasons, it appears that a lofty points total will be required if Wanderers are to make a successful late charge into the play-offs.

Teams typically record points tallies in the early 70 region if finishing sixth in the table over recent seasons.

Oxford United had 74 points when finishing last season, while Doncaster Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Millwall have all had totals just below that figure in recent years.

The latter also achieved promotion to the Championship after beating Bradford City in the play-off final at Wembley.

It gives Wanderers a ballpark figure to aim for in the final month of the season as they play their final seven games of the campaign.

But with Sunderland currently on 67 points and with several matches left, it suggests that a much higher tally may be needed to be in the top six this campaign, such is the standard of League One this season.

Previous sixth placed finishers in League One

2020/21 - Oxford United, 74 points

2019/20 - Fleetwood Town, 60 points, 35 games played but season curtailed due to Covid-19 pandemic

2018/19 - Doncaster Rovers, 73 points

2017/18 - Charlton Athletic, 71 points

2016/17 - Millwall, 73 points

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