AI reveals exactly how many points West Brom now need to guarantee Championship play-off spot

West Brom are pushing for a return to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs after a four-year stint in the second tier of English football. The Baggies have so far accumulated 52 points from their opening 35 games, with the latest being a commendable 1-1 draw against league leaders Leeds United at Elland Road.

Darnell Furlong’s first half strike was enough to cancel out the opener from Junior Firpo and gave the West Midlands side plenty to shout about as they proved their ability to compete with the very best teams in the division.

The point was enough for West Brom to hold on to a top six spot on goal difference despite Blackburn’s dramatic late equaliser at Norwich City and Middlesbrough’s impressive 1-0 victory over Derby County. However, the Baggies did fall from fifth to sixth in the league table as high-flying Coventry City picked up their eight win in nine matches during a roller-coaster afternoon at the Kassam Stadium against Oxford United.

Championship fans can expect plenty more twists and turns in the coming weeks heading into the business end of the season. But just how many points are West Brom likely to need to finish inside the top six. We asked X’s AI Grok tool - and this was its intriguing response.

How many points will West Brom need to secure a place in the play-offs?

AI forecasts that West Brom will need around 74 points to secure a place in the top six. Its data is based on historic Championship seasons, but explains that some seasons have been higher or lower based on the standards of teams in the league at that time.

AI answer: Typically, over the last decade, teams securing a play-off spot (6th place) in the Championship have needed around 73-75 points, though this varies year to year based on competition. For example:

- In 2018/19, Derby County took 6th with 74 points.

- In 2017/18, Derby County again finished 6th with 75 points.

- In 2015/16, Sheffield Wednesday secured 6th with 74 points.

- In contrast, some seasons have seen lower thresholds, like 70-72 points, but 74 is a commonly cited benchmark.

How many points have teams needed in the past to finish in the play-offs?

Last season Norwich City edged past Hull City to secure sixth spot with a total of 73 points, which is around the ballpark that AI believes West Brom will need this season. In the year prior to that, Sunderland needed just 69 points to clinch sixth spot in a highly successful first season back in the Championship.

In recent years, the highest points obtained by a sixth place side was by Fulham, who picked up 80 points in the 2016/17 season. Here is the number of points achieved by each sixth place team in the last 10 seasons:

• 2023/24: West Brom - 75
• 2022/23: Sunderland - 69
• 2021/22: Sheffield United - 75
• 2020/21: Barnsley - 78
• 2019/20: Swansea - 70
• 2018/19: Derby - 74
• 2017/18: Middlesbrough - 76
• 2016/17: Fulham - 80
• 2015/16: Sheffield Wed - 74
• 2014/15: Wolves - 78

Read more: West Brom’s top six chances based on new OPTA forecast.