As the curtain approaches on the relegation battle in the Iraqi Stars League for the 2024–2025 season, one of the most exciting bottom-of-the-table battles has been resolved, as it has been officially confirmed that the Basra Oil Club will finish the season in eighteenth place, regardless of the results of the remaining two rounds, thus entering the decisive 'play-out' in search of survival among the elite of Iraqi football.

Although the Al-Hudood team has a mathematical chance to catch up with Basra Oil in terms of points 'if they win their next two matches and Basra Oil loses both', the direct encounters rule intervened strongly to determine the identity of the 18th place.

Basra Oil achieved two direct victories over Al-Hudood this season, defeating them in the first round 3-1, and in the second round 3-0.

Thus, even if both teams are tied on points (29 for each), the advantage of direct superiority ensures Basra Oil remains in 18th place, pushing Al-Hudood to stay in the direct relegation zone or wait for other calculations related to Karbala's results.

After it was decided to play the promotion and relegation play-off between the 18th place team in the Iraqi Stars League and the 3rd place team in the Iraqi Premier League, attention turns to the identity of the team that will face Basra Oil in that decisive match.

In the Premier League, the battle at the top intensifies, as the first and second place teams qualify directly to the Iraqi Stars League, while the third goes to the 'play-out' match.

1- Al-Gharaf – 66 points

2- Mosul – 66 points

4- Baghdad Municipality – 63 points

5- Al-Jawlan – 62 points

It is likely that Al-Gharaf and Mosul will need just one more win (3 points) in the remaining rounds to secure direct qualification, which makes the battle for third place theoretically limited to Baghdad Municipality and Al-Jawlan, with one of them qualifying for the awaited play-off against Basra Oil.

Basra Oil finished its season with a modest total of points (29 points from 36 rounds so far), having lacked stability and technical consistency, with frequent changes in lineup and performance, in addition to a clear offensive deficiency at certain times, which cost them a slip to the bottom of the table.

Despite attempts in recent weeks to save the situation, what was achieved was not enough to escape the threat of the play-off, but at the same time was sufficient to avoid direct relegation, keeping the hope of survival alive.

The play-out represents the last chance for Basra Oil to ensure continuity in the Iraqi Stars League, and the team will need to appear with a different character and a bolder style, as the match against the representative of the Premier League will be quite balanced.