In that case, a two-legged tie would have been held in the Third Stage between the two best-placed teams in the aggregate table to determine who is the runner-up and who finished in third place.
LDU Portoviejo and Técnico Universitario were relegated last season to the Serie B after accumulating the fewest points in the First and Second Stage aggregate table.
They were replaced by Independiente José Terán[3] and Universidad Católica,[4] the 2009 Serie B winner and runner-up, respectively.
[48] Deportivo Quito and Barcelona qualified to the Third-place Playoff by being the two best non-stage winners in the aggregate table.
By having the greater number of points in the aggregate table, Barcelona played the second leg as the home team.
By having the greater number of points in the aggregate table, Emelec played the second leg as the home team.
Assistant referees: Carlos Herrera Marco Muzo Fourth official: Miguel Hidalgo
Assistant referees: Juan Cedeño Luis Alvarado Fourth official: Alfredo Intriago Source:[49] The awards were selected by the Asociación Ecuatoriana de Radiodifusión.