2025 K League 2 Playoff Race Watch: Alternative Round 29 Preview | OneFootball

With the third and final round robin of the 2025 Hana Bank K League 2 season now underway, the race for the playoffs gathers pace. With four playoff spots up for grabs, at least seven teams will feel as though they have a genuine chance of extending their season. What are the key matches in the playoff race this weekend?

Key Playoff Race Matches

Ansan Greeners vs. Busan IPark

Sunday 14th September - 19:00 KST

What happens at the Wa will affect the rest of the playoff-chasing pack. Currently, Busan hold the much-coveted last playoff berth, but only just. The Royals are only a point above sixth place but will be feeling extra confident having seen off the challenge of second-place Suwon Bluewings in their last outing. Busan take on the league's basement side Ansan Greeners next, a side that has lost its last five on the spin. But the last meeting between the two sides went in favor of the Green Wolves by two goals to nil. With no margin for error, Busan can ill afford a repeat of that result. The meeting at the Wa this season ended in a 3-1 win for Busan.

K League TV stream: here

Chungnam Asan vs. Bucheon FC 1995

Saturday 13th September - 16:30

Bucheon FC 1995 are easing their way into the race for second place. Currently, the Reds are third and just four points behind Suwon Bluewings and will be buoyed by the back-to-back wins. Bucheon's most recent win was against league leaders Incheon United. Bucheon are playoff regulars but have never progressed past the K League 2 playoffs. In 2022 and 2023, their most recent forays into the K League 2 postseason, Bucheon finished fourth and fifth, respectively. A third-place finish, which remains in their hands, would mark their best finish in a decade. Up next, Bucheon are away to Chungnam Asan, a side that only really has an outside chance of a playoff push.

K League TV stream: here

Jeonnam Dragons vs. Hwaseong FC

Sunday 14th September - 19:00

Among the favourites for promotion every season, Jeonnam Dragons are seemingly going to have to make do with the playoffs again this season. Sitting in fourth, Jeonnam have just a one-point lead over Busan in fifth and are three points behind Bucheon in third. After two losses on the spin, the visit of Hwaseong FC this Sunday is an absolute must-win. Hwaseong are proving hard to beat, however, having avoided defeat in their last five matches. While Jeonnam lost their last home match, most of the Dragons' wins have come on their own patch (seven), while scoring nearly double the number of goals that they do on the road (26-17).

K League TV stream: here

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

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.

Where to Watch K League 2