Anyang, Seoul, or Asan? Who has the advantage in the title race? | OneFootball

Seoul E-Land's narrow win over FC Anyang on Tuesday night blew the title race back open. At the same time, down in Yi Sun-sin, Chungnam Asan left it late to beat KTX-station rivals Cheonan City. The top three are separated by six points. Who has the advantage going into the final rounds and where is the title likely to end up?

Kim Jeong-sok's late double against 10-man Cheonan City has firmly elevated Chungnam Asan into title contenders, as unlikely as that would have sounded in February. No matter what happens from here on, Asan are the team of the year and Kim Hyeon-seok should be the front-runner for manager of the season. Who saw this coming in winter?

The great thing about the current K League 2 title race is none of the three sides - FC Anyang, Seoul E-Land, or Chungnam Asan - have ever played top-flight football. K League 1 should, therefore, be welcoming a brand new club in 2025 unless 4th placed Suwon Samsung Bluewings go on a tear, winning all their remaining games, and pip the others to the title.

Here's a look at the current K League 2's title-chasing situation. Chungnam Asan have currently played a game more, which could work in their favor. But their free matchday isn't until the penultimate weekend of the season. Anyang and Seoul will both be on the road so this represents a great chance for Asan to post a target and sit back with their feet up watching their rivals catch up.

Another spanner in the works; Tuesday night's defeat of Cheonan City was Asan's final home game of 2024. If they go up with the run that awaits them, no one will have any arguments. They have to do it the hard way.

The table, thanks to the kleague website.

These are each club's remaining fixtures, and how many points they have taken off their opponents leading into these matches. Based on this, I will give a prediction below as to who I think wins the league, and therefore, who gains automatic entry to K League 1 for next season. Interestingly, Chungnam Asan must play both of their rivals, away from home, as we approach the home straight. Is that a positive or a negative?

Matchday 33

FC Anyang vs. Chungnam Asan, September 28th. Anyang have taken 4 points from 6 off Asan this season, with the home side winning their most recent clash 1-0. Traditionally, goals have been common in this fixture, apart from this season. Expect another close game this weekend.

Seoul E-Land vs. Gimpo FC, September 30th. Seoul are unbeaten against Gimpo this year and will have two days extra rest on their rivals above following the midweek win over Anyang. Their last meeting ended 5-2 to Seoul in Solteo. Before then, the teams drew 1-1 in Mokdong.

Matchday 34

Busan IPark vs.Seoul E-land, October 5th. Incredibly, Seoul have taken 6 from 6 over Busan this year. If any manager knows how to rattle Busan, it is Kim Do-kyun. He has form in spoiling their parties.

Gimpo FC vs.Chungnam Asan, October 5th. All three contenders will be on the road this weekend. And all three have tricky appointments. Points will be dropped. Asan have taken four off Gimpo this term but twice let a two-goal lead slip in their last meeting to draw 3-3.

Suwon Samsung vs.FC Anyang. October 6th. Anyang, meanwhile, are pointless from two showings against the Bluewings this season. That really needs to change in Yongin Mireu this time.

Matchday 35

FC Anyang vs Busan IPark, October 20th. Busan, not out of the playoff running themselves, can have a big say in the trophy's destination. After welcoming Seoul, they travel to Anyang. The sides have split this series, with one win each so far.

Cheonan City vs.Seoul E-Land, October 20th. Another away game for Seoul, this time down in Cheonan. The sides have split the series one win each thus far, but Cheonan did come out on top of a seven-goal thriller in Mokdong last time.

Seongnam FC vs.Chungnam Asan, October 20th. An action-packed Sunday sees all three sides play on the same Sunday afternoon. Asan make the trip north to face Seongnam in Tancheon, where they hammered their hosts 4-0 already this season. The other meeting was a draw.

Matchday 36

Chungbuk Cheongju vs.FC Anyang, October 26th. Anyang have a good record over Cheongju this season, collecting four points from six. This included a 2-0 win in Anyang back in June. Last season, in their debut at this level, Cheongju beat the Violets twice.

Seoul E-Land vs. Chungnam Asan, October 27th. This could very well be the game that ends the title aspirations of one of the three clubs remaining in the title race. They have a win each in this series, although the aggregate is completely in Seoul's favor, thanks to a 5-0 battering in April.

Matchday 37

FC Anyang vs. Jeonnam Dragons, October 29th. This fixture has been won by the away side in both of their meetings thus far. After Anyang won 2-1 in Gwangyang, Jeonnam responded with a 3-2 victory in Anyang, thanks to Valdivia's 92nd-minute winner.

Seoul E-Land vs. Seongnam FC, October 30th. Once a derby by the banks of the Tancheon, Seoul have since, temporarily, moved across town. With it, they boast a title-chasing side whereas Seongnam have endured another miserable season since dropping back to K League 2 in 2022. Seoul have taken four points from six thus far.

Suwon Samsung vs.Chungnam Asan, October 30th. Asan opened their season with a narrow defeat in Big Bird but exacted revenge with a famous win over the Bluewings in late May.

Matchday 38

Bucheon FC 1995 vs.FC Anyang, November 2nd. Anyang's perfect 2/2 record over their fellow promotion chasers Bucheon FC is a key reason they're top of the table. When they last met in June, at this stadium, Anyang came from a goal down to secure a vital victory.

Gyeongnam FC vs.Seoul E-Land, November 3rd. Spoils shared in this meeting, thanks to a couple of 2-1 home wins. Asan are off this wekeend.

Matchday 39

FC Anyang vs. Gyeongnam FC, November 9th. Gyeongnam have so far recorded a solitary point off Anyang this season. I wish we could fast-forward to this weekend now. What will the atmosphere be like at Anyang Stadium? A promotion party, or despair after a major collapse?

Seoul E-Land vs. Jeonnam Dragons, November 9th. Seoul's record against Jeonnam is poor, with just one point collected from six. I was at that game, on a roasting summer's night in Gwangyang. We'll know by the close of play if two teams from the capital will compete in K League 1, or will Seoul be dumped into the playoffs.

Chungbuk Cheongju vs.Chungnam Asan, November 9th. Another away game for Kim Hyeon-seok but at least the distance to travel will be shorter. The provincial derby could have plenty on the line, as Cheongju go in search of an unlikely playoff spot. Asan have won both games this season, with a combined score of 7-1.

Will the season come down to the final weekend? Chungnam Asan's lack of experience and difficult run-in make it very unlikely they'll be in the shake-up by November. Perhaps playing away from home from here on in will take the pressure off. But they don't have the depth or quality to win this division.

Anyang must be favorites to go up automatically, because of their points advantage with games running out. But they have been here before. They looked certain to go in 2022 but fell away at the end of the season, and then suffered a heartbreaking playoff defeat to Suwon. The heart says Anyang and the head just about agrees. Seoul E-Land might even draw level at some point but I have Anyang to go up, with two points to spare. Chungnam Asan, outstanding all season, to finish third.