Runaway league leaders Ulsan Hyundai head into the weekend's match in a bout of inconsistent form, having won just won once in their last five league outings, losing three. One of those three defeats was last weekend when they fell to two goals without reply to then bottom of the table Gangwon FC. While the Horangi still sit eleven points in first, Hong Myung-bo's side need to arrest their poor form quickly to avoid the concern of letting a title slip out of their grasp that they looked to have had their hands on from the early rounds.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are also struggling with their consistency as manager Dan Petrescu continues to bed in new players into his recently acquired squad. Despite a solid 2-0 defeat of Incheon United, Jeonbuk laboured to then second-from-bottom Suwon Samsung Bluewings on home turf, finding themselves fighting back from a goal down and salvaging a point through Han Kyo-won. It has been a difficult season for Jeonbuk by their own lofty standards, sitting sixteen points behind Ulsan in third, but a win over the Horangi would be a strong indication that they are moving back in the right direction.
Team News
Both teams will be without key central defenders this weekend as Ulsan's Kim Young-gwon and Jeonbuk's Hong Jeong-ho watch on from the sidelines through suspension. It likely means Kim Kee-hee will start in the position for Ulsan while Tomáš Petrášek could be in line for his second Jeonbuk start, lining up alongside Jeong Tae-wook in one of the tallest defensive pairings in the division.
Head-to-Head
Not only will this be the third meeting between these two sides this season, but it will also be the third different manager in the dugout for Jeonbuk, with Kim Sang-sik overseeing their first encounter, a 2-1 loss to Ulsan, on opening day, while caretaker manager Kim Do-heon secured a 2-0 win in Jeonju, Now it is Dan Petrescu's turn to face the reigning Champions and he may look to alter things to his predecessors.
Saturday will be the 108th meeting between the pair across the competition with Jeonbuk leading by 45 wins to Ulsan's 36. Ulsan have won the last two visits in the Munsu though, with their bout earlier this season seeing the Horangi come from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to efforts from Eom Won-sang and Gustav Ludwigson.
With an equaliser at the weekend plus a goal and an assist the round prior, winger Han Kyo-won is quickly becoming a player new Jeonbuk manager Dan Petrescu can rely on. It comes as no surprise to the Jeonbuk faithful given Han's heroics over his career with the Green Warriors but it certainly be welcomed by the new head coach as he strives for consistency with the squad he inherited. Han has only started on nine occasions this season with four coming under his new manager, and has made 19 appearances in total. The 33-year-old has yet to face Ulsan this season but has scored six league efforts past them whilst wearing neon green and will be hoping to maintain his encouraging recent form this weekend.
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.
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