The record low points tally for a team surviving in the Championship could change

By InYourArea

A despondent Royals on their lap of appreciation last weekend. Credit: Eddie Greville

By David Dubas-Fisher

Reading FC could stay up in the Championship with just 43 points - a potential record low for a 46 game season.

Depending on how other results go on Sunday afternoon, Royals could lose and stay up with 43 points.

No second-tier team has ever stayed up with fewer than 44 points in a 46 game season, meaning Reading could set a new record.

The present record was set in 2013/14 when Birmingham City avoided the drop with 44 points.

Teams have needed 49 points on average to stay in the Championship.

The record high for a team finishing just above the drop zone is 55, which was set by Barnsley in 2012/13.

The Tykes could set a record even lower than 43 on Sunday though. The south Yorkshire side have 41 points to their name and sit just above the relegation zone.

They are level on points with Burton, but ahead on goal difference, and are one point ahead of 23rd placed Bolton.

If all three of those sides lose, then Barnsley will stay up with just 41 points, though draws could also see either themselves or Burton stay up on 42.



It could be nail biting stuff for Reading fans this weekend. Credit: Eddie Greville

Season | Team above relegation zone | Points

2016/17 | Nottingham Forest | 51

2015/16 | Rotherham | 49

2014/15 | Brighton | 47

2013/14 | Birmingham City | 44

2012/13 | Barnsley | 55

2011/12 | Barnsley | 48

2010/11 | Doncaster Rovers | 48

2009/10 | Crystal Palace | 49

2008/09 | Plymouth Argyle | 51

2007/08 | Coventry City | 53

2006/07 | Hull City | 49

2005/06 | Queens Park Rangers | 50

2004/05 | Crewe Alexandra | 50

2003/04 | Gillingham | 51

2002/03 | Stoke City | 50

2001/02 | Rotherham | 49

2000/01 | Crystal Palace | 49

1999/00 | West Bromwich Albion | 49

1998/99 | Port Vale | 47

1997/98 | Queens Park Rangers | 49

1996/97 | Bradford City | 48

1995/96 | Portsmouth | 52

1994/95 | Sunderland | 54

1993/94 | West Bromwich Albion | 51

1992/93 | Sunderland | 50

1991/92 | Oxford | 50

1990/91 | Leicester City | 50

1989/90 | Middlesbrough | 50

1988/89 | Hull City | 47

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