2025 K League 2 Promotion Race Watch: Alternative Round 35 Preview

With the third and final round robin of the 2025 Hana Bank K League 2 season now nearing the end, the race for the playoffs and promotion as a whole is reaching the final furlong. With four playoff spots up for grabs, at least seven teams will feel as though they have a genuine chance of extending their seasons. What are some of the key matches in the promotion race as the season reaches Round 35?

Don't miss the official K League 2 Round 35 preview here...

Key Promotion Race Matches

Chungnam Asan (9th) vs. Gimpo FC (7th) 

Sunday 19th October - 14:00 

Gimpo FC's 1-0 home loss to Seoul E-Land last time out saw them slip to seventh place and their impressive unbeaten run come to an end. But sitting just a point behind the top five, there's no time to dwell on the loss. Gimpo will travel to South Chungcheong to take on a Chungnam Asan side that's found some late-season form. While the Owls have little to play for other than pride, it seems that the manager-less outfit are looking to restore some pride. Gimpo lost 2-0 in this same fixture at the beginning of June, a repeat of that could all but spell the end of the playoff push. A healthy number of goals scored in recent weeks should get Gimpo back on track with five in their last five matches, while Luis Mina has registered the most shots on target per match for the Gyeonggi outfit with 1.4. Yoon Jae-woon, meanwhile, has created the highest number of big chances for Gimpo with four.

Watch live on K League TV: here

Bucheon FC 1995 (3rd) vs. Cheonan City (12th)

Sunday 19th October - 16:30 

Bucheon FC 1995's win over Busan IPark, coupled with Jeonnam's loss to Ansan Greeners, moved the Reds back up to third. After losing to Jeonnam four rounds ago, Bucheon have since gone three unbeaten with a draw and back-to-back wins. Maintaining this good form and the momentum it brings will be key for Lee Young-min and his team. So will maintaining a healthy number of shots on target per match, with Bucheon sitting third in that regard per match with 4.6, and nine goals in their last five outings is befitting of a team gunning for promotion. They face Cheonan City at home this weekend, a side they're unbeaten against in four but drew 0-0 with in the last meeting.

Watch live on K League TV: here

Chungbuk Cheongju (13th) vs. Jeonnam Dragons (4th) 

Sunday 19th October - 16:30 

After a dramatic, last-gasp win over Gyeongnam, Jeonnam were unable to ride that momentum in their very next match, losing to the league's basement side, Ansan Greeners. It meant slipping to fourth place heading into Round 35. But a three-point cushion over fifth can be maintained should Jeon Kyung-jun's men return to winning ways this weekend. They face a Chungbuk Cheongju outfit that's marooned in 13th place and in danger of slipping to bottom following a string of disappointing results. Jeonnam have scored an impressive number of goals in their last five matches, 11, while the Lions have failed to find the back of the net in each of their last seven. 

Watch live on K League TV: here

Worth a mention...

Ansan Greeners (14th) vs. Incheon United (1st)

Sunday 19th October - 14:00 

A shock win over Jeonnam Dragons meant that Ansan Greeners have the chance to climb their way off the foot of the table. However, up next at the Wa~ Stadium is the visit of the soon-to-be champions of K League 2. While their 10-point lead was reduced to just eight points after throwing away a 2-0 lead against 10-man Seongnam to draw 2-2, Incheon remain on course to seal an early return to the top flight and need just three more wins. 

Watch live on K League TV: 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. 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. 

Where to Watch K League

Watch all K League matches live, for free, and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.