The hot phase of the season is underway in the higher amateur divisions. The first decisions have already been made. The state of play in the Oberliga and Landesliga in the Lower Rhine region.

As MSV Duisburg have been relegated from the 3rd division for over a week, it is clear that there will be four teams relegated from the Regionalliga West. For the teams from the Oberliga Niederrhein and the two Landesliga divisions, this means a little more certainty.

One team from the Oberliga Niederrhein will be promoted to the Regionalliga West and three clubs will be relegated to the Landesliga Niederrhein, as only one team, SSVg Velbert, will be relegated from the Regionalliga to the Oberliga Niederrhein.

The prerequisite for this is that KFC Uerdingen or Germania Ratingen exercise their right to promotion to the regional league. From a sporting point of view, it looks as if promotion is out of KFC’s reach. After their victory in the top match on Sunday, the Krefeld team can probably no longer be caught.

A total of three clubs from the two regional leagues will be promoted to the Oberliga. The champions of both groups go straight up. The runners-up will compete against each other in a relegation play-off.

Promoted and relegated teams in the Oberliga Niederrhein as of May 13

Relegated from the Regionalliga West: SSVg Velbert (certain relegation)

Promoted to the Regionalliga West: KFC Uerdingen

Relegated from the Oberliga Niederrhein: SV Straelen (withdrawn, certain relegation), Sportfreunde Hamborn 07, TSV Meerbusch

Promoted to the Oberliga Niederrhein: Sportfreunde Niederwenigern (1st LL N2), 1. FC Monheim (certain 1st LL N1)

Relegation to the Oberliga Niederrhein: SC Kapellen-Erft (2nd LL N1) against SV Biemenhorst (2nd LL N2)

Relegation from the Landesliga

With regard to relegation from the Landesliga, it is important to note that Oberliga team SV Straelen will return to the Kreisliga following their withdrawal. This means that there will be one less relegated team than normal. This has already been taken into account in both of the following scenarios.

If one Oberliga team is promoted to the Regionalliga and three Oberliga teams are relegated, nine clubs from the regional leagues would be relegated to the Bezirksliga. The 16th-placed teams from both leagues would then compete against each other in a relegation play-off. At the same time, six clubs would be promoted from the district leagues.

If none of the Oberliga clubs are promoted and four clubs are relegated to the Landesliga, ten Landesliga clubs would be relegated to the Bezirksliga. The number of clubs promoted to the district leagues remains the same.

The following clubs will be relegated from the Lower Rhine regional leagues:

SC Düsseldorf-West (LL 1)

ASV Mettmann (LL 1)

MSV Düsseldorf (LL 1)

Spvgg. Sterkrade-Nord (LL 2, withdrawn)

SV Hönnepel-Niedermörmter (LL 2)

FSV Duisburg (LL 2)

As things stand, SpVgg Steele 03/09 would play the relegation match against Fortuna Dilkrath.

Decisive matches in the event of a tie

In the event that several teams have the same number of points in the fight for promotion or relegation, there will be a deciding match this season.

If two teams are tied on points, there will be a first and second leg.

If there are three teams with the same number of points, there will be a round of three in which each team plays one home and one away game. If all three teams end up with the same number of points and goals, the round is repeated. The winner (in the event of relegation) or loser (in the event of promotion) is then eliminated.

If four teams are tied on points, a knockout round takes place in which the winner (in the event of relegation) or the loser (in the event of promotion) is eliminated