What's decided in K League and what's still up for grabs? | OneFootball

Ulsan HD have been crowned K League 1 champions with two games to spare, and FC Anyang have won a historic promotion to the top flight with a game still to play in the second tier, but there's still a lot up for grabs across both divisions.

What's been decided?

Aside from the two league titles, won by Ulsan in K League 1 and FC Anyang in K League 2, not a lot else has been decided, even with two rounds to go in the top tier and one in the second. In K League 1 Final A, Gangwon FC are guaranteed to finish in the top three, and in Final B, Jeju United are safe from relegation while Gwangju are safe from automatic relegation.

Still up for grabs

K League 1 runners-up spot, ACL qualification

In K League 1, Gangwon still have work to do to secure second spot and a place in AFC Champions League Elite for 2025-2026. Gimcheon Sangmu can't qualify for the Champions League but manager Chung Jung-yong is on course to seal a best-ever finish for any army side. The previous best was fourth by Sangju Sangmu in 2020.

Gimcheon's presence in the top three complicates things somewhat in terms of ACL qualification, so too the Korea Cup final not being until the week after the final day of the season. If Ulsan HD win the Cup then it would likely mean third might be enough for ACLE and fourth would be an ACL Two spot. If Pohang finish outside the top four and win the Korea Cup, then one team will miss out on continental football for next season. What that means is that the likes of FC Seoul, Pohang Steelers, and Suwon FC simply need to concentrate on winning their last two games.

K League 1 survival

Any five of the current bottom six could go down and any of the current bottom three could go down automatically. Daejeon Hana Citizen, sitting six points clear of last-place Incheon with six points still to play for, but with a stronger goals-scored tally of 39 to 34, could consider themselves safe from automatic relegation, needing a point to mathematically ensure they avoid finishing 12th. The Purples play Incheon in Round 37.

Then there are the relegation playoff spots. Gwangju FC sitting just three points above Daejeon and five above the bottom three could get dragged into the mire if they aren't careful. Round 37 this weekend is going to be pivotal for the teams in the bottom half as depending on this weekend's results, the bottom three could be confirmed.

K League 2 runners-up spot, playoff qualification

Seoul E-Land sit second in K League 2 heading into the final round of the season this Saturday. The Leopards are a point clear of Chungnam Asan so need to win to guarantee they claim the runners-up spot and earn a direct playoff with 11th in K League 1.

Chungnam Asan are also guaranteed a playoff spot but they could finish anywhere from second down to fifth, depending on results elsewhere. Any two of Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Jeonnam Dragons, Busan IPark, and to a lesser extent Gimpo FC, will occupy the last two playoff spots.

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