In Round 12’s marquee match, the second Gyeongin Derby of the year sees Incheon United host FC Seoul. The home team are in mixed form, having won once, lost once, and drawn three times in their last five, though remain in the top half and only a single point away from Gangwon in fourth. Positively, Incheon rank first in the division for xG (20.3), and fourth for shots on target per match (4.5), which shows the team’s willingness to play directly, and create chances despite often having lower possession numbers (an average of 47.9%). Last weekend, Jo Sung-hwan’s men fought back from two goals down to secure a point away at Gimcheon.

Seoul, on the other hand, have lost four of their last five games, still in search of consistency that would see them rise up the table. In their 1-0 home defeat to Ulsan, the capital city club will acknowledge the positives - limiting the Horangi to three shots on target and a non-penalty xG of 0.69 - but know they need to create more themselves, given they currently rank eighth for xG (14.8), and bottom of the division for touches in the opposition box (197).

The first clash between these sides this year ended in a 0-0 stalemate in front of nearly 52,000 people, which extended Incheon’s unbeaten run in this fixture to three (two draws, one win). Generally, the Durumi have had the recent advantage when against Seoul, having only lost once in the last ten meetings.

After enduring six successive defeats, Gwangju FC appear to have turned a corner, with back-to-back victories lifting them into eighth place. In their 2-1 home win against Daejeon Hana Citizen, the Griffins flexed their attacking potency, creating an xG score of 2.35, four big chances, and efficiently placing eight of their 10 shots on target. Still averaging 1.7 goals scored per game, Gwangju seemingly just have to maintain a stronger balance in defence to continue their strong form, as they look to return to the top half sooner rather than later.

On Saturday, Gwangju travel to bottom-place Daegu FC. The Sky Blues have suffered consecutive league defeats for the second time this year, following a 1-0 loss at the hands of Jeju United, and will be concerned by the fact they’re the last team in the division still in single figures for goals scored (8). Nevertheless, Daegu’s only win of the season so far came in the reverse fixture against Gwangju, so manager Park Chang-hyun will be hoping lightning can strike twice as he attempts to put an end to his team’s seven-game winless run in K League 1 action.

Hitting form for high-flying Gimcheon Sangmu, Kim Dae-won had a day to remember on Sunday, with a goal and an assist in his team’s 2-2 draw with Incheon United. In addition to his tangible contributions, the forward created four chances, made two passes into the final third, two recoveries, and took three touches in the opposition penalty area. Kim Dae-won now has one goal and two assists in five appearances for the military side, who remain in third following their weekend stalemate.

This weekend, Kim Dae-won and co. face the challenge of Ulsan HD, who have won their last five K League 1 matches. Last time out, it took an injury-time Martin Ádám penalty for the Horangi to secure the three points against FC Seoul, but such endeavour is vital when you’re seeking a third successive league title. In 2024, Hong Myung-bo’s men rank (per 90) first for shots on target (6.5), joint first for possession won in the final third (4.9), and comfortably lead the pack for goals per game (2.2). Earlier in the season, Ulsan were 3-2 victors away at Gimcheon, which extended their unbeaten run over the military club to 12 matches (10 wins, two draws).

After returning to winning ways last time out, Gangwon FC will be looking to continue their momentum when up against Daejeon Hana Citizen. The Bears have already matched their win record from last year’s regular season, and may well harbour ambitions of a Final A finish following some impressive performances across the first portion of 2024. However, while Gangwon have displayed plenty of attacking improvements - scoring 19 times from an xG of 15.6, averaging five shots on target per game, and 1.7 goals scored per game - Yoon Jong-hwan’s men do still have the leakiest defence in the league, having shipped 20 goals. Daejeon, on the other hand, suffered a 2-1 loss to Gwangju which kept their form to one win in their last six, and coming into Saturday’s game, the Purples have only picked up two points on their travels out of an available 18. The last time these teams met, a late Peniel Mlapa equaliser gave Daejeon a comeback 1-1 draw against Gangwon on home turf.

Moving onto Sunday, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors welcome Suwon FC to Jeonju, hoping to end their run of back-to-back defeats. The 10th-placed Green Warriors have been an inconsistent outfit in 2024, winning just twice across their 11 games compared to five defeats, and are still without a permanent manager too after Dan Petrescu stepped down a little over a month ago. Suwon, similarly, have also endured consecutive losses, a Jung Han-min injury-time winner giving Gangwon the three points at the Suwon Sports Complex this past Sunday. This fixture finished 1-1 back in round two, though Jeonbuk have only lost once across the last seven meetings (five wins, one draw).

Finally, Pohang Steelers host Jeju United. Park Tae-ha’s men made it ten league games without defeat with a 1-0 home victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, maintaining their spot at the top of the table accordingly. This year, Pohang have shown the benefits of a strong defensive foundation, keeping five clean sheets, conceding just eight goals, and boasting the second-lowest xGA tally in the division (13.7). As for Jeju, a 1-0 win over Daegu on Monday stopped their rut, moving them to within a point of the Final A positions after previously facing four consecutive losses. But the Islanders, opposite to the Steelers, have the highest xGA total in the league (19.6), and have lost their last four clashes with Pohang, including a 2-0 home defeat in round four.

#GyeonginDerby: Incheon United (6th) vs. FC Seoul (9th) - 16:30 [ENG]

#DAEvGWA: Daegu FC (12th) vs. Gwangju FC (8th) - 19:00

#GANvDHFC: Gangwon FC (4th) vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen (11th) - 19:00

#JEOvSUW: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (10th) vs. Suwon FC (5th) - 14:00 [ENG]

#ULSvGIM: Ulsan HD FC (2nd) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (3rd) - 16:30 [ENG]

#POHvJEJ: Pohang Steelers (1st) vs. Jeju United (7th) - 16:30

Follow all the action LIVE, for FREE, and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.