Back in Round 16, Gimcheon came away as 3-1 winners in this fixture, thanks to two late stoppage-time goals. The last time Pohang were the home team, though, the score finished 0-0.
After struggling to find any sort of sustained form for long periods of 2024, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will hope their season has turned a corner after a triumphant 2-0 win over Ulsan HD last weekend. In that game, the Green Warriors took five of their 10 shots on target, created an xG of 0.73, had 28 positional attacks, made 12 high recoveries, 43 accurate passes to the final third, and 64 progressive passes in a much-improved display. With two wins out of their last three games, Jeonbuk have risen to 10th.
On Friday, Jeonbuk travel to face Gangwon, who themselves will be riding a high following a 4-0 home triumph against Jeju United. The Bears are the current top scorers in K League 1 this year (42 goals scored from an xG of 35.96), a number which highlights their attacking improvements under Yoon Jong-hwan given they were last season’s least clinical side (30 goals scored). In both meetings between these sides this year, Gangwon have emerged victorious.
Player of the Round
Jeong Seung-won, Suwon FC (vs. Gwangju FC, Sat. 27th July, 19:00)
In recent weeks, Jeong Seung-won has stood out as a star player for the unbeaten in six Suwon FC. The 27-year-old, who is largely deployed on the wing, has managed six goals and four assists this year, and after contributing one of each in his team’s 4-1 away win against Incheon United, will no doubt remain confident of finishing the season strongly. Per 90, Jeong averages 1.42 shots, 2.43 crosses, 1.69 dribbles, 3.57 interceptions, 5.9 recoveries, 2.06 touches in the penalty area, 1.14 progressive runs, and 2.97 passes to the opposition box.
This weekend, Jeong Seung-won and co. face off with Gwangju FC. The Griffins are in a prolonged period of mixed form, having won five and lost five of their last 10 matches, but have impressively managed back-to-back away wins following a 1-0 victory against Daegu FC this past weekend. Nevertheless, Suwon have run out as winners twice against Gwangju this season, with the most recent clash finishing 1-0.
Elsewhere in K League 1
After suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Gangwon last time out, Jeju United will go into their game against Ulsan HD with the aim of making amends. The Tangerines have struggled defensively this season, ranking second-highest in the division for both xGA (37.15), and shots against (312). Ulsan, then, may seek to capitalise on those woes, and utilise the fact they lead the pack for xG creation (37.94), and for touches in the opposition box (498). Additionally, the Horangi have been victorious in their last five league meetings with Jeju.
In the third Gyeongin Derby of 2024, Incheon United welcome FC Seoul. Coming into the weekend, the hosts will want to correct a disappointing 4-1 home defeat to Suwon FC last Sunday, where they gave up an xGA total of 1.85, allowed six shots on target, and couldn’t find much of a spark themselves despite making 50 accurate passes into the final third. FC Seoul, meanwhile, beat Gimcheon Sangmu 1-0 in Round 24, further cementing their top-half credentials by making it five wins in their last seven games. In Round 12, a second-half turnaround gave Kim Gi-dong’s men a 2-1 away win in this fixture.
Moving on, a likely six-pointer sees Daegu FC host Daejeon Hana Citizen. Winless in six, the Sky Blues will be looking for home advantage to come in handy here, particularly as their opponents are yet to win on the road in 2024. That, and the Purples are also without victory in their last six matches (four losses, two draws), which has kept them at the bottom of K League 1. Nevertheless, it was Daejeon who were victorious back in June against Daegu, where an 85th-minute Peniel Mlapa goal gave his team an important 1-0 win.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Round 25 Fixtures
Friday 26th July
#JEJvULS: Jeju United (8th) vs. Ulsan HD FC (3rd) - 19:30 [ENG]
