As for Suwon, back-to-back home defeats - where a total of 10 goals were conceded - have meant they are now winless in three matches, needing a quick turnaround to maintain their ambitions of an AFC Champions League spot. With that being said, the underlying statistics still see Kim Eun-jung’s men as a solid outfit, given they rank fourth in the division for xG creation (44.71), second for shots taken (11.56 per 90), second for touches in the opposition box (17.37 per 90), and sixth-lowest for xGA (41.33).

The last three times this fixture has been played, Seoul have emerged on the winning side, with the most recent meeting finishing 3-0 in favour of Kim Gi-dong’s men. In fact, Suwon have only ever won once against Seoul, a 4-3 triumph back in July 2022.

Finally getting a home goal for himself, Pohang’s striker Jorge Teixeira was key to the Steelers’ dramatic 2-1 triumph over Gangwon FC, which officially ended the team’s six-game losing streak in K League 1. A constant presence throughout the match, the 25-year-old won eight of his nine aerial duels, three of his four defensive duels, made three interceptions, three recoveries, two progressive runs and, most importantly, the decisive contribution with his last-minute winner. Now up to fifth, Pohang will look to push on and finish in the top four to end an overall positive year on a high.

Up next for Pohang is Incheon United, who remain in bottom place despite a respectable 0-0 draw last time out against Ulsan. This season, the Durumi have actually been reasonably solid defensively, boasting the fourth-lowest xGA tally in the division (39.77) and managing to keep nine clean sheets, despite allowing the most opposition passes per defensive action (15.35), and completing the lowest number of duels, tackles and interceptions per minute of opposition possession (4.3). Moving on, the most recent meeting between these sides was a 3-1 win for Pohang, extending their unbeaten run against Incheon to five (three wins, two draws).

Enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run, Daejeon Hana Citizen will aim to consolidate their push for survival when they host league leaders Ulsan HD. The Purples gave a balanced account of themselves in a 0-0 draw against Jeonbuk, limiting their opposition to two shots on target, making 13 high recoveries, and winning 40 of their 66 defensive duels. Ulsan, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 draw away at Incheon, where they couldn’t find a breakthrough from 11 shots, 34 positional attacks, and an xG of 1.22. Coming into Friday's clash, both of these teams hold a victory over the other in 2024, but back in round 14, the Horangi were 4-1 victors against Daejeon, breaking a four-match winless run for them in this fixture.

Following consecutive defeats, Gangwon FC will be trying to recalibrate at home to Daegu FC this Saturday. The Bears conceded in the final minute to lose away at Pohang Steelers, but can look back on things like their xG of 1.59, a positive, possession-based approach (they saw 59.37% of the ball), and 76 accurate progressive passes - which in turn led to 18 attempted crosses, and 12 shots - as positives. Daegu, on the other hand, earned a point at home to FC Seoul via a 98th-minute Cesinha equaliser, meaning they have lost just one of their last five. This year, the Sky Blues have found a direct approach works best for them when in possession, with the team taking the third-highest number of shots in the division (11.15 per 90) despite seeing the lowest amount of the ball (44.4% possession per game on average). Nevertheless, Gangwon have beaten Daegu both times they’ve met this season.

Unbeaten in five, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors take on Jeju United this Saturday. The Green Warriors were solid enough in a 0-0 stalemate against Daejeon, ensuring their opposition didn’t have a single shot on target while creating an xG of 1.48 themselves, but know results are the most critical thing at this stage of a season. Meanwhile, Jeju will be rightly pleased with their 2-0 away triumph over Gwangju, where they created an xG of 1.63 from 14 shots, in addition to making 21 high recoveries, 51 interceptions, and 29 accurate passes to the final third in one of their best performances of the campaign. In 2024, both teams have one win each in this fixture, though Jeonbuk have emerged victorious in their last three home meetings with the Tangerines.