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K리그1・2의 최신 소식을 모두 확인 할 수 있는 공간입니다.

Preview: Daegu FC Vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

league 2021.11.26   I   조회수 1006


The penultimate round of K League fixtures sees Daegu FC look to maintain their hopes of AFC Champions League qualification as they host division leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors who need victory themselves to continue their title pursuit. K League United Head of Editorial Matthew Binns previews the match.



Recent Form

Daegu FC will head into this weekend's fixture having been in action midweek with the FA Cup Final. Manager Lee Byung-geun took a full-strength squad to face Jeonnam Dragons in Gwangyang, forcing through a first-leg victory thanks to a Bruno Lamas penalty in the 25th minute. Prior to that encounter, Daegu's previous round of K League action saw them see off a Suwon Samsung Bluewings side 2-1 last weekend. That win makes it back-to-back league victories and their second in the three matches of Final A.

After the last-minute dramatics of their win over Ulsan Hyundai in Round 35, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' three-point advantage at the K League summit was quickly squandered after they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Suwon FC. Having gone behind to two first-half goals, the Green Warriors were able to rally in the second half thanks to substitutes Moon Seon-min and Gustavo, but saw their hopes dashed when they proceeded to concede an 89th-minute winner from Suwon's Jeong Jae-yeong. With Ulsan winning later that afternoon, Jeonbuk remain in first due to goals scored and must win these two matches to claim their fifth successive title.

Team News

Having played a full-strength squad midweek, Daegu FC manager Lee Byung-geun may well consider rotating some of his starting eleven for this fixture in order to keep legs fresh and avoid the risk of injuries ahead of the FA Cup final second leg in two weekends' time. Both attackers Edgar and Cesinha were kept on the bench for the first half of proceedings against Suwon Bluewings and Lee may look to do something similar here, with Lee Keun-ho and Kim Jin-hyuk proving alternative options. The side will likely be without defender Jang Sung-won and striker Jung Chi-in who remain doubts through injury while Kim Woo-seok continues to be a longer-term layoff.

Jeonbuk manager Kim Sang-sik, meanwhile, will likely keep to a similar first eleven the last time out despite defeat. Given the effectiveness of his substitutions though, Gustavo and Moon Seon-min could well be considered in the starting eleven in place of Stanislav Iljutcenko and Modou Barrow. Kim will continue to be without Choi Young-jun, Kim Seung-dae, Sasaalak and Kim Min-hyeok who are all currently recovering from injuries.

Head-to-Head

Across their 46 encounters in all competitions, Jeonbuk have held the advantage with 28 wins to Daegu's nine. Recent history has also favoured the Green Warriors with six victories in their last seven encounters, conceding just four times. However, the Sky Blues did taste success this season, overcoming their opponents at home 1-0 thanks to a second-half Cesinha effort.

What to Watch

Can Daegu capitalise on Jeonbuk's recent defensive woes?



Having conceded the fewest goals in the league, praise should rightly be aimed towards the division leaders for their resolute displays at the back. However, recent alterations to their backline through injury and some notable mistakes has seen them ship five times in their last two outings in addition to seeing their own woodwork struck on a number of occasions. 

Furthermore, against Daegu, Jeonbuk's possession heavy game will play into the hands of a side that has thrived by ceding control of the ball. Daegu sit in third place in the division yet have the league's lowest average possession, preferring to move the ball forward on the counter to catch their opponents off-guard and taking advantage. 

There is also a case to be made that the Sky Blues should be performing to a higher level. Their expected goals (51.69) suggests they should have approximately 11 more to their tally this campaign, the most sizable discrepancy in the division, with talisman Cesinha leading the league for expected assists yet only having seven actual assists to his name. It implies Daegu are creating plenty of high quality opportunities but are often squandering them. Against a Jeonbuk defence that has seen holes forming of late though, could things fall into place for Daegu to capitalise this Sunday?

Where to Watch



Fans in countries with K League overseas broadcasting rights can follow the game live on television. More information can be found here.

Alternatively, the match is also available for FREE on tv.kleague.com.


Matthew Binns
K League United Head of Editorial
Twitter: @Matt_Binns

K LEAGUE