Bottom host top on Saturday when Suwon Samsung Bluewings take on Ulsan Hyundai at Big Bird. No fewer than 41 points separate the teams but Suwon will head into the match feeling as though they have a chance. Kim Byung-soo's side are now three unbeaten and have lost just once in their last five matches with four draws while Ulsan lost to Incheon last time out. Suwon's most recent draw came thanks to a second goal in as many matches for striker Fejsal Mulic who fired in a free-kick just after the hour mark. The Serbian thought he had found another shortly after but his calm finish following a neat turn was chalked off for offside.
Interestingly, with Gangwon taking on FC Seoul, the Bluewings will be hoping for a favour from their Super Match rivals as a defeat for the Bears, coupled with a win for Suwon, would take them up to 11th place. The Bluewings will be looking to improve their chance conversion rate with 20 goals scored from an xG of 23.26. This is the second-lowest in the division while Ulsan's is the highest at 36.94 and 46 goals scored. However, Suwon have the third-highest challenge intensity in the division with 5.7 duels, tackles, and interceptions per minute of opponent possession and have a better aerial duel success rate than Ulsan - 46.9% to 45.3%.
Chances are high that both teams will score. The most recent meeting between the two in May ended 3-2 to Ulsan and the first of the campaign ended 2-1 to the Horangi. Gustav Ludwigson scored in both matches, including a brace at Big Bird.
Team of the Round
FC Seoul (vs. Gangwon FC, Sat. 15th July - 19:30)
FC Seoul broke a club record on Wednesday night when a 7-2 win over Suwon FC became the biggest victory in the club's history. The win came thanks to braces from Na Sang-ho and Kim Sin-jin as well as goals from Kim Ju-sung, Willyan, and Kim Gyeong-min. It could even have been more than seven as Seoul had 21 shots on goal, 11 of which hit the target. The win keeps Seoul in the hunt for second place, now sitting just two points behind Pohang Steelers. Seoul are also third in K League 1 for total shots but dropped to seventh in terms of accuracy with 36.8%. Seoul have, however, been unlucky with shots hitting the woodwork with nine total attempts rebounding off the posts, the joint-most in the division. Seoul are also joint-top for shots from outside the area with 129 and fourth for shots from open play with 254.
Player of the Round
Hernandes, Incheon United (vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen, Sun. 16th July - 20:00)
The only team to beat reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai on their own park is Incheon United and that's, in part, thanks to Brazilian star Hernandes. The former Jeonnam and Gyeongnam forward came off the bench in the 52nd minute at the Munsu on Wednesday, with the score at 0-0. Kim Bo-seop put Incheon in front four minutes later but the Blue Black were pegged back in the 91st via a trademark Martin Adam header. However, undeterred, Incheon went for the winner and eventually it came in the 95th minute. Gerso Fernandes, also on as a substitute, combined with Hernandes to send the travelling Incheon fans into raptures. It was Hernandes' third goal of the season and in another match where his team earned points. He's currently fourth in the division for total shots with 45 and sixth for shots from outside the area with 20. Up next for Hernandes is Daejeon Hana Citizen at home. Hernandes scored in the 3-3 draw between the two teams back in Round 2.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 23
In the third Moonlight Derby of the season, Gwangju FC host Daegu FC with two just points separating the two teams. Hosts Gwangju are without a win in three and drew their last two matches and so will be determined to get their top six push back on track. Daegu, though, are unbeaten in three and sit fifth in the table. Both teams have picked up wins in this fixture this season; Daegu won 2-0 in the most recent but Gwangju emerged as 4-3 winners in the first.
An unbeaten in three Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are in action against Suwon FC this Sunday. The Green Warriors earned a last-gasp draw away to Daejeon last time out but Suwon shipped seven away to FC Seoul to make it six matches without a win. Kim Do-kyun's side now sit seven points adrift from safety but a win over Jeonbuk would put a bit of pressure on Incheon one place above them. Jeonbuk, meanwhile, know that a win could move them up to third.
Also on Sunday, Pohang Steelers take on Jeju United with both teams looking to return to winning ways. Pohang drew 1-1 away to last place Suwon Bluewings to see their lead over FC Seoul dwindle to two points. Jeju drew 0-0 with Gwangju which means their winless run extends to seven.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Round Fixtures
Saturday 15th July
#SSBvULS: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (12th) vs Ulsan Hyundai (1st) - 19:00
#GANvSEO: Gangwon FC (11th) vs FC Seoul (3rd) - 19:30
#GWAvDAE: Gwangju FC (8th) vs Daegu FC (5th) - 20:00
Sunday 16th July
#JEOvSUW: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (4th) vs Suwon FC (10th) - 19:00
#POHvJEJ: Pohang Steelers (2nd) vs Jeju United (7th) - 19:30
#INCvDHFC: Incheon United (9th) vs Daejeon Hana Citizen (6th) - 20:00
Where to Watch
Suwon Samsung Bluewings versus Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors versus Suwon FC are the matches picked for English commentary.
