K League 2 Final Day: Permutations of a complicated playoff race | OneFootball

There are no fewer than 27 combinations of results this weekend and each leads to a slightly different outcome - each without taking the exact number of goals scored in each game into consideration. Mathematically, Chungbuk Cheongju can make it into fifth with a win over Busan but realistically they can't due to a lack of goals scored (36) compared to other teams. Basically, it would take a huge, huge win, and for results elsewhere to go their way.

Gimpo FC are guaranteed third place. Gyeongnam FC are ahead of Bucheon FC 1995 on goals scored (53-41), but not Jeonnam (54) - if Gyeongnam win, they're fourth. If Gyeongnam draw, a win for Bucheon sees them leapfrog Gyeongnam. If Gyeongnam draw, a win for Jeonnam sees them leapfrog both Gyeongnam and Bucheon; Bucheon then miss out and Gyeongnam finish fifth.

If Gyeongnam lose a draw between Bucheon and Jeonnam would see Gyeongnam miss out... but for who, we don't know. Gyeongnam are -1 to Jeonnam in terms of goals scored, so would need to score one more in defeat than in Jeonnam draw. But they are also -3 goals behind FC Anyang. If Anyang win, they could sneak fifth if Gyeongnam lose and Bucheon and Jeonnam draw - with Bucheon finishing fourth and Anyang finishing fifth.

Anyang Addendum

Anyang, though, as alluded to, still can make the playoffs, despite being three points behind fifth. If Gyeongnam and Bucheon both lose, and Anyang win, the Violets will move on to 54 points - level with Gyeongnam and Bucheon. Anyang currently have more goals scored than both (56), so would jump ahead of both in the league. Jeonnam would finish fourth and Anyang fifth. If Gyeognnam and Jeonnam lose, Bucheon would finish fourth, and Anyang - with a win - would likely move ahead of Gyeongnam on goals scored into fifth.

What it all means

Finishing higher up in the playoff positions has advantages. The K League 2 runners-up will go straight into a two-leg playoff with 11th in K League 1, meaning Busan or Gimcheon won't need to go through the K League 2 playoffs first.

Gimpo FC are guaranteed to finish third so will be at home against the winners of fourth versus fifth and will only need a draw to advance to the two-leg playoff against 10th in K League 2. Fourth will be at home against fifth in a one-and-done affair and, again, will only need a draw to go through to face Gimpo.