Unweighted points-per-game: how does it work and which teams does it benefit in League One and League Two – as EFL clubs decide to curtail season

League One and League two clubs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of cutting the season short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

EFL clubs voted in favour of a proposition put forward by the leagues’ board which means that England’s third and fourth divisions will be decided on an unweighted points-per-game basis.

Promotion, relegation and play-offs remain in place, with play-off dates till to be decided.

Here’s how the controversial system works and who it benefits.

What was the EFL’s ruling?

The EFL’s proposal consisted of three key features:

1. Final divisional placings will be determined on unweighted points per game (if required).

2. Promotion and relegation should be retained.

3. Play-Offs will be played in all circumstances but will not be extended (beyond four teams).

Both leagues voted to curtail the season meaning that both leagues have been decided by unweighted points per game.

So how does unweighted points-per-game work?

The unweighted points-per-game method simply takes the total points scored by each time and divides it by the number of games played.

This calculates their average points total which is used to decided final positions.

And what about a weighted points-per-game system?

Some teams campaigned for a weighted points-per-game system.

This would have taken into account each team’s average points total for home and away fixtures so far this season.

This was floated as an idea to remove bias against teams who have played more away games than home games.

It was dismissed however as it didn’t take into account the difficulty of opponents, potentially favouring teams with a tougher run in.

Who’s benefited from the system in League One?

In League One the system has confirmed Coventry and Rotherham’s return to the Championship.

The play-offs will be contested by Wycombe, Oxford, Portsmouth and Fleetwood, with Wycombe taking the place of Peterborough who had occupied one of the four slots.

Tranmere Rovers, Southend United, Bolton Wanderers meanwhile all look set for relegation.

Who’s benefited from the system in League Two?

Swindon, Crewe and Plymouth have all been promoted to League One.

Cheltenham, Exeter, Colchester and Northampton are all set to take part in the play-offs, with a date still to be decided.

According to the EFL the final placings in the relegation zone can’t yet be decided "due to ongoing disciplinary matters”. As things stand, Stevenage will be relegated to the National League but Macclesfield could yet finish bottom if they incur further points deductions for alleged breaches of EFL regulations.