2025 K League 2 Playoff Race Watch: Alternative Round 30 Preview

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 as the season reaches Round 30?

Key Playoff Race Matches

Bucheon FC 1995 (3rd) vs. Seoul E-Land (7th)

Saturday 20th September - 16:30 KST

Bucheon FC 1995 look set to book their place in the playoffs for the fifth time. Always the bridesmaids, never the bride, Bucheon can give themselves their best chance yet by finishing third, or potentially second, should Suwon Bluewings drop more points. In the club's last three playoff campaigns, they've had to compete in the playoff semifinal, but a third-place finish would bypass that and earn Lee Young-min's men a place in the K League 2 Promotion Final, before a potential two-leg clash with 10th in K League 1. But, to do that, Bucheon need to regain some consistency. The Reds lost 3-0 to Chungnam Asan last time out, and have just two wins from their last seven matches. They face Seoul E-Land, last year's playoff finalists, but a side that sits outside the top five. With just 10 games left, the Leopards need to put the loss to Suwon Bluewings behind them, and get back on track. Prior to the Bluewings defeat, Kim Do-kyun's men had been on a run of seven unbeaten with three wins. The capital club are only two points behind the top five and still have everything to play for. 

K League TV: here

Incheon United (1st) vs. Gimpo FC (8th)
Saturday 20th September - 19:00 KST

Runaway league leaders, sitting 10 points clear with 10 games to go, Incheon United are edging closer to an instant return to K League 1. But, the Durumi have started to falter every so slightly, certainly compared to the lofty standards they'd set for themselves in the earlier part of the campaign. Over their last seven matches, no two results have been the same in succession, with wins followed by draws or even the odd defeat. Incheon returned to winning ways last time out, ending a mini run of two without win, by overcoming Cheonan City 4-3, and after two matches on the road, return to home comforts. They face neighbours and 'airport derby rivals' Gimpo FC this weekend. Gimpo's excellent turn of form since the start of July has moved Ko Jeong-woon's men to within two points of the playoffs. Goals from Kim Min-woo and Park Kyung-rok earned a 2-0 win over Gyeongnam last time out, making it one loss in 11 with 22 points from 33 available. Incheon ran out 3-0 winners when the sides met at Sungui Arena in Round 10.

K League TV: here

Busan IPark (4th) vs. Jeonnam Dragons (5th)
Sunday 21st September - 19:00 KST

Fourth versus fifth in a huge playoff race six-pointer sees Busan IPark take on Jeonnam Dragons this Sunday. Busan's excellent recent form, which has seen the Royals earn four wins from their last five, has moved them up to fourth. Jeonnam, on the other hand, have lost their last three in a row and are in grave danger of dropping out of the top five. The Dragons' form has been inconsistent, more or less, since the meeting with Busan in June. Since that Round 16 encounter, 14 matches ago, Jeonnam have earned just four wins. Busan will see the game as a chance to continue in their rich vein of form, but Jeonnam simply must win if they are to be guaranteed a place in the top five after the weekend's over. Each team has earned a 1-0 win in this fixture this season.

[OFFICIAL: K League 2 Round 30 Preview]

K League TV: here

Worth a mention...

Seongnam FC (6th) vs. Chungnam Asan (9th)
Saturday 20th September - 19:00

A 1-0 win over Chungbuk Cheongju last time out extended Seongnam FC's unbeaten run to 11 matches. It meant a fourth win in five, and a fifth win in their last seven to move them closer to the playoff places. The Magpies are now just a point behind Jeonnam Dragons and are ready to swoop, should the South Jeolla side falter again this weekend. On Saturday, Seongnam face a Chungnam Asan side that, realistically, won't be in the playoffs this year but one that earned an impressive 3-0 win over Bucheon last time out, to make it three unbeaten and keep it to one loss in eight. The last two Magpies versus the Owls clashes ended 1-1 in Round 5 and 2-0 to the latter in Round 17.

K League TV: here