Another weekend another spate of games. Let’s get to the action (listings).
K League Classic Fixtures – Round 35
Busan IPark vs Incheon United, Saturday 2pm KST (12midnight EST)
Sangju Sangmu vs Seongnam FC, Saturday 2pm KST
Jeju United vs Jeonbuk Motors, Saturday 4pm KST (2am EST)
Suwon Samsung vs FC Seoul, Sunday 2pm KST
Gyeongnam FC vs Jeonnam Dragons, Sunday 2pm KST
Pohang Steelers vs Ulsan Hyundai, Sunday 4pm KST
Mini-previews
Busan vs Incheon
Busan pulled a big result last weekend in the win over Sangju while Incheon was held by Gyeongnam. Incheon looked fairly safe from relegation, but a loss here and other results going against them in the other matches could see them dragged back into it. Last time they met, Incheon smacked Busan good 3-0 (in Incheon), and Busan has failed to beat the black and blue side this season, but based on form you might fancy Busan to snatch a win here. The goals have suddenly started flowing for the southeast side with Lim Sang-hyub and Fagner in good form. Incheon will also be missing Park Tae-min and Koo Bon-sang through suspension.
TV: Busan CJ Hellovision
Stream: Naver, Afreeca
Jae’s prediction: Busan 2-1 Incheon
Tim’s prediction: Busan 0-2 Incheon
Sangju vs Seongnam
Seongnam remains just above the drop line, and this one represents their best chance to possibly get some points and make a bit of breathing space. Sangju has been in dreadful form, having just twice in their last 15 matches. At this point they look dead set for a straight return to the Challenge, but a win could get them back in contention to get out. Honestly, this game feels like it could any way. Seongnam could win, Sangju could win, or they could draw. Seongnam has more quality on paper, but they’re one of those sides that sometimes just fails to show up. I suspect this won’t be one of those times.
TV: SPOTV+
Stream: Naver, Daum, Afreeca
Jae’s prediction: Sangju 1-2 Seongnam
Tim’s prediction: Sangju 0-1 Seongnam
Jeju vs Jeonbuk
Is this the weekend Jeonbuk wraps up the title? If they beat Jeju, they do. Jeonbuk is still without Lee Dong-gook and will also be without their usual left back Choi Chul-soon. Jeju should be in fairly good shape, so they should give Jeonbuk a good run. This season the series has been quite even. Jeju won the earlier home match, while Jeonbuk won their home match (they drew the other match in Jeonju). This one feels like a draw to me. Jeonbuk seems to have shifted their focus to defense without Lee Dong-gook, and I’m not convinced Jeju has the firepower to breakdown the league’s stingiest defense more than once.
TV: MBC Sports+, SPOTV+
Stream: Naver, Daum, Afreeca
Jae’s prediction: Jeju 1-1 Jeonbuk
Tim’s prediction: Jeju 0-2 Jeonbuk
Suwon vs Seoul
The last ‘Supermatch’ of the season. Suwon must win (or at least draw) in order to keep the title race mathematically alive. A draw, plus a Jeonbuk loss, would put the gap at nine points with nine points left for grabs. Seoul has been in good form, but their focus seems to have shifted towards the KFA Cup final in a couple weeks. Last week’s loss to Jeonbuk seems to have ended Seoul’s chance of gaining a AFC CL spot through league placement. But, this is a ‘Supermatch’, so I’d expect both sides to really go for it. These matches have always been tight over the last few years with Seoul having the slight edge in results. Being at home I suspect Suwon will edge this one as they did the previous one.
TV: SBS Sports
Stream: Naver, Daum, Afreeca
Jae’s prediction: Suwon 2-0 Seoul
Tim’s prediction: Suwon 1-2 Seoul
Gyeongnam vs Jeonnam
Gyeongnam scooped an important point last weekend against Incheon, and will hope they can repeat the feat (or better it) this weekend when a slumping Jeonnam come to Changwon. Jeonnam has the edge in prior results, but they haven’t looked too motivated (other than against Incheon before the split). They’re well clear of the relegation spots, so this could give Gyeongnam a chance.
TV: MBC Gyeongnam
Stream: Naver, Afreeca
Jae’s prediction: Gyeongnam 1-1 Jeonnam
Tim’s prediction: Gyeongnam 1-1 Jeonnam
Pohang vs Ulsan
The difference a year makes. Last season these two met to decide the title on the final day. This season Pohang is hanging on for Asian qualification while Ulsan is just hanging in there. After a scoring surge against Sangju, Pohang reverted to form against Jeju, struggling to create meaningful chances. Ulsan similarly went down pretty tamely against Suwon last week. This seems like it’ll be a pretty tame affair, and Pohang will probably edge it being at home.
TV: SPOTV+
Stream: Naver, Daum, Afreeca
Jae’s prediction: Pohang 1-0 Ulsan
Tim’s prediction: Pohang 1-1 Ulsan
K League Challenge Fixtures – Round 35
*As Tim mentioned in his post, Ansan’s midweek draw with Anyang means that Daejeon have won the Challenge and secured the automatic promotion spot. With two matches to go, Ansan can no longer match Daejeon’s point total.*
Bucheon 1995 vs Gwangju FC, Saturday 2pm KST
Daegu FC vs Chungju Hummel, Saturday 2pm KST
Daejeon Citizen vs Suwon FC, Saturday 4pm KST – Daejeon will have their trophy celebration following the match.
Gangwon FC vs FC Anyang, Sunday 2pm KST
Goyang Hi vs Ansan Korea Police, Sunday 2pm KST
K League Challenge Notes
- As of now it’s simply a battle of who will secure the 3rd and 4th positions for the playoffs as Daejeon has clinched the title and Ansan is guaranteed 2nd
- Anyang, Suwon FC, Gangwon, Gwangju, and Daegu all have a reasonable chance (Goyang has a slim hope) of grabbing those two positions
- Daegu and Gwangju must win their games against the bottom clubs if they want to have any hopes of sneaking in
- Anyang faces the trickiest test in a trip east to Gangwon. Plus they’ll do it without head coach Lee Woo-hyung who was apparently sent off midweek
- Suwon FC will hope they can consolidate their playoff spot as they welcome champions Daejeon to town who will be without top scorer Adriano again
TV: Only Daejeon-Suwon will be on TV (CMB Daejeon)
Stream: All matches will be streamed on Naver, Daum, and Afreeca
Yun Suk-young starts for QPR this afternoon against Manchester City. At this point, he’s definitely locked in as QPR’s starting left back.
I just realized that my previous comment should’ve been for the previous post. Oh well!
Haha, it’s fine. I think it’s too early to say he is locked in starter for QPR though. This was another “so-so” performance from him. A lot of energy mixed in with mental mistake & poor crosses. Anyways, at least the team as a whole are doing well & are getting results lately.
Yeah, I agree with Takeuchi, I think so-so is the word here. He had some very decent moments, blocks, a good run, lots of passion, but some errors in judgement as well. I hope he can continue his run of fairly decent form (in a short time, of course) through the international break. Yun needs playing time to improve his game, and I think QPR and Redknapp need to trust Yun to play games and give him the time that any fairly inexperienced fullback will need.
Don’t want to spoil the K-League Recap – but Seoul scored in the 93rd minute + to win the super match vs Suwon in a mundane game. Incredible stuff. + attendance was 30k+ at the Big Bird.
thumbs up!