In the final Round of the 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 season, the major races still to conclude come at the bottom end of the table. In that vein, Ulsan HD are aiming to guarantee their safety against a Jeju SK side desperate to avoid automatic relegation, while Daegu FC have one last chance at gaining a promotion-relegation spot on the final day should they beat FC Anyang, and Jeju lose. Elsewhere, the battle to finish as runners-up ends in a direct clash as third-place Gimcheon Sangmu host second-place Daejeon Hana Citizen.
In a game that carries major implications for both the race for automatic survival and the battle to avoid automatic relegation, Ulsan HD host Jeju SK. For the hosts, a 2-0 away defeat at Gwangju FC, where they only mustered an xG total of 0.64 from their 13 attempts, left them just two points clear of 10th place, meaning they need to win this weekend to secure their top-flight status.
Meanwhile, Jeju’s 1-1 stalemate with Daegu FC in Round 37 gives them the advantage over their bottom-placed relegation rivals, but a loss this weekend, coupled with a Daegu victory, would see them relegated to K League 2. As a cause for concern, Ulsan have won all three meetings against the Tangerines this year, only conceding once.
Team of the Round
Daegu FC (vs. FC Anyang)
After a run of seven games unbeaten (two wins, five draws), Daegu FC have a final chance of making the promotion-relegation playoffs, avoiding automatic relegation. In a 1-1 draw against Jeju, the Sky Blues impressed, creating an xG total of 1.59 from 16 shots, imposing themselves with 60% possession, and taking 23 touches in the opposition box. In Round 38, Daegu clash with an already-safe FC Anyang, who fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Suwon FC last time out.
Player of the Round
Park Tae-jun, Gimcheon Sangmu (vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen)
With a goal and assist, Park Tae-jun was key to Gimcheon Sangmu’s 3-1 away triumph at FC Seoul last Saturday. There, the central midfielder also completed 56 passes, made seven passes to the final third, four interceptions, four recoveries, and won 50% of his duels in an all-round solid display. Now, the task is for Park Tae-jun and Gimcheon Sangmu to push for a runners-up spot, as they prepare to host Daejeon Hana Citizen, the side that currently occupies second-place, on the final day.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 38
In a must-win match, Suwon FC know their survival fate is also in the hands of Ulsan HD as they host a Gwangju FC side that has won three out of their four Final B outings. Elsewhere, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will look for momentum ahead of their upcoming Korea Cup final when up against FC Seoul, who are winless in three league matches, and Gangwon FC will aim to stay undefeated in Gangneung this year when hosting guaranteed fourth-place finishers Pohang Steelers.
K League 1 Round 38 Fixtures
Sunday November 30th
Daegu FC (12th) vs. FC Anyang (8th) - 14:00 [ENG]
Suwon FC (10th) vs. Gwangju FC (7th) - 14:00
Ulsan HD (9th) vs. Jeju SK (11th) - 14:00 [ENG]
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) vs. FC Seoul (5th) - 16:30 [ENG]
Gimcheon Sangmu (3rd) vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen (2nd) - 16:30
Gangwon FC (6th) vs. Pohang Steelers (4th) - 16:30 [ENG]
