It has been a difficult start for Daegu FC this season, producing just a single victory in six and currently positioned in 8th in the table. Last week's 3-0 defeat at the hands of FC Seoul proved somewhat humbling for the Sky Blues although they were able to pick up a win against K League 2 outfit Cheonan City in the FA Cup midweek.
Gwangju FC's fans, meanwhile, have enjoyed a far more exciting start to the season and to their return to the top flight. Three wins and three losses make up their league campaign so far, in addition to victory against Busan IPark in the FA Cup midweek. Last weekend Gwangju suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Pohang Steelers, making their only win on the road their opening day three points over Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
Team News
In regards to suspensions, neither side has any players unavailable for selection. However, Daegu FC will have to make do without their talisman Cesinha once more who was forced to sit out of the side's midweek victory as he continues to return from a hamstring injury.
Head-to-Head
Sunday will mark the 22nd meeting between these two sides, with results being fairly even between them. Over the years, Gwangju has edged wins against the Sky Blues by eight to seven, winning both games in Daegu in 2021, the year the Yellows were relegated. The last meeting saw Gwangju run out 2-1 victors, coming from a goal down to win thanks to second-half efforts from Eom Ji-sung and Yeo Bong-hun.
Who to Watch
Daegu's Edgar
With Cesinha set to be on the sidelines once more, the scoring mantle looks set to fall upon his teammates once more, with no other player having scored more than a single goal yet this season. That said, Edgar's return to the club after seeing his season cut short through injury last year was warmly received. The Brazilian striker did open his account for 2023 in the 1-1 draw with Gangwon though and, having started in the most recent league outing will hope to continue his return to the threat he was before.
Having become renowned for scoring with his aerial prowess, the Sky Blues will be hoping that Edgar can find his way through and pose problems to the heights of Gwangju's backline who, through the likes of Timo Letschert, Aaron Calver and Ahn Young-kyu, have helped to strengthen the newly promoted club's resolve.
Gwangju's Jasir Asani
Having announced himself with the winner in Gwangju's season opener, recent arrival Jasir Asani made himself known mid-March as he proceeded to put three past last year's fourth-placed side Incheon United in a game that ended in a 5-0 victory for the Yellows. Not only was it the first hattrick of his career but it was also a haul that pushed him to the top of the scorer's table.
Following that, Asani then went on to make his international debut for the Albanian National Team, thus fulfilling a dream of his. Asani started and played for 70 minutes in the team's 1-0 defeat to Poland.
While he may have been more subdued in Gwangju's recent outing against Pohang Steelers, perhaps due to returning from international duty, the Albanian winger has shown his the threat he poses and, against a Daegu side that has conceded eight and has struggled to keep a clean sheet, may find his scoring touch once more this Sunday.
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.
