24 Aug 2026
How many points does a team need to avoid relegation in the Brasileirão?
In the 20-team Brasileirão, there is no fixed points total that guarantees survival. The most commonly used benchmark is 45 points, but the safety line changes depending on the season’s results.
How relegation works in the Brasileirão
The Série A has 20 clubs and 38 matchweeks. At the end of the championship, the bottom four are relegated to Série B. A win is worth three points, a draw one and a defeat none. That is why the points target for survival depends on the total of the team in 16th place, the first club outside the relegation zone.
Why 45 points became the most commonly cited target
The 45-point mark has been used for years as a safety margin because it usually keeps a club clear of the battle against the bottom four. With 45 points, a team averages 1.18 points per game over 38 matchweeks. In many seasons, survival has been secured with fewer, but the target avoids relying on combinations of results and tiebreakers.
Can a team survive with fewer than 45 points?
Yes. The required total falls when the teams near the bottom draw or lose frequently against one another and against opponents from other parts of the table. In recent championships, 43, 42 or even fewer points have been enough. That does not make those totals guarantees: if several nearby clubs win in the final weeks, the safety line rises.
How to calculate the target during the season
First, check the points total and number of matches played by the team in 16th place. Then see how many points your club has and how many games remain. The difference shows the current gap, but you must also consider that the rivals will keep picking up points. A simple projection uses the 16th-placed team’s points-per-game average and extends it over 38 matchweeks. If that average is 1.10, for example, the projected final total is around 42 points.
Tiebreakers can decide survival
Two teams can finish level on points. In the Brasileirão, the first tiebreaker is wins, followed by goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head record, fewer red cards, fewer yellow cards and a draw. Therefore, a club near the safety line should not look only at its points total: winning matches and improving its goal difference can also prevent relegation.
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Analysis: PK Sport · our methodology
Analysis based on public data and market signals. For analysis only — not betting advice.