2025 K League 2 Promotion Race Watch: Alternative Round 38 Preview | OneFootball

Even with the 2025 Hana Bank K League 2 season now reaching the penultimate round, the race for the playoffs is still very tightly contested. No fewer than six teams still have a mathematical chance of sealing one of the three remaining playoff spots and extending their seasons. What are some of the key matches in the promotion race as the season reaches Round 38?

Key Promotion Race Matches

Jeonnam Dragons (4th) vs. Incheon United (1st)Saturday 8th November - 14:00

The Dragons' destiny is in their own hands, but there is absolutely no margin for error. Jeonnam sit fourth in K League 2 but, following a defeat to Seongnam last weekend, hold just a one-point lead over sixth place. With Seoul E-Land and Seongnam playing after Jeonnam, Saturday could be a chance for Kim Hyun-seok's side to put the pressure on the chasing pack. However, Jeonnam's last home game of the season sees the visit of champions Incheon United. The two teams are among the top scorers in the division; Jeonnam's 60 goals scored is the third-highest toal, while Incheon's 65 is the second-highest. Jeonnam have landed more shots on target per match, though, with 4.8 (2nd) on average compared to Incheon's 4.2 (7th). Each team has one win in this fixture this term. The meeting in Gwangyang ended 2-1 to the Dragons.

Busan IPark (7th) vs. Chungnam Asan (9th)

Saturday 8th November - 16:30

Busan IPark have slipped out of the top five and know that they have to rely on results elsewhere going their way to qualify for the playoffs. A run of one win in eight has left the Royals with a four-point gap to overcome. While Jo Sung-hwan's men will need Seoul E-land and Seongnam to drop points, they simply have to concentrate on winning both their last two matches, starting with Chungnam Asan this Saturday. The visit of the Owls is Busan's last home match of the season, and comes against a side they've beaten twice already this season, and with no goals conceded. Busan will have to be more clinical in front of goal, however, with the Royals ranking third for big chances missed (16), but do rank second for touches in the box with 761, and fifth for shots on target per match with 4.5.

Cheonan City (12th) vs. Seongnam FC (6th)

Saturday 8th November - 16:30

Another side that has to rely on teams above them dropping points is Seongnam FC. But the Magpies have done well to move to within a point of the playoff places heading into the last two matches of the season. Seongnam have won their last three on the spin, with their most recent victory coming against another playoff hopefuls, Jeonnam Dragons. But if they are to make it into the playoffs, Seongnam will need to improve their record against this Saturday's opponents Cheonan City. Seongnam haven't beaten their South Chungcheong counterparts since April 2023, a 2-0 home win, which is their only win over Cheonan. Manager Jeon Kyung-joon will be looking to Leonardo Ruiz who is gunning for the K League 2 golden boot, and has two goals in his last three matches.

Watch live on K League TV:here

Playoff Dates Confirmed

The first leg of Playoff 1 will be held on Wednesday 3rd December, with the second leg on Sunday 7th December. The first leg of Playoff 2 will take place on Thursday 4th December, with the second leg also on Sunday 7th December.

The K League 2 playoffs will begin on Thursday 27th November and conclude on Sunday 30th.

K League 2 Playoffs - How do they work?

Second place, or the K League 2 runners-up, will face 11th in K League 1 in a two-leg playoff. The winners will play in K League 1 next season, the losers will play in K League 2. As things stand, this would mean Jeju SK facing Suwon Samsung Bluewings for a place in the top flight in 2026.

Third down to fifth will compete to face 10th in K League 1. Third will get a bye of sorts to the next round, then fourth play fifth over one leg, with fourth at home and only needing a draw. Third faces the winners of fourth versus fifth over one leg, again with the home team only needing a draw. The winners of that contest then face 10th in K League 1 over two legs.

As things stand heading into the weekend, this would mean Jeonnam hosting Seoul E-Land to earn the right to face Bucheon, who would then go toe-to-toe to earn a playoff with Suwon FC.