Headlining the penultimate weekend of the 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 season is a crunch clash at the bottom of the table, where Jeju SK take on Daegu FC. Elsewhere, there's plenty of intrigue to be found as the race for continental qualification reaches its climax, with Pohang Steelers taking on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Gangwon FC travelling to likely ACL debutants Daejeon Hana Citizen.
Match of the Round
Jeju SK vs. Daegu FC
In a game which could either wrap up the K League 1 automatic relegation battle or bring a major twist, 11th-place Jeju SK face bottom-place Daegu FC. For the hosts, back-to-back defeats have left them in a difficult position, unable to survive without a promotion-relegation playoff, and only three points ahead of this week’s opposition. Daegu, meanwhile, scored a 94th-minute winner last time out in a 1-0 win against Gwangju FC to extend their unbeaten run to six matches (two wins, four draws).
As such, the permutations for Sunday's clash are simple. If Jeju win, Daegu are relegated. If the game ends in a draw, the automatic relegation spot will be decided on the final day, with Jeju three points clear. Should Daegu win, however, they will go above Jeju on goals scored, giving the Sky Blues a slim advantage heading into Round 38. This year, neither side have bragging rights over the other, with there being one victory apiece, whilst the most recent encounter finished in a 2-2 draw.
Team of the Round
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (vs. Pohang Steelers)
In a 3-1 win against Daejeon Hana Citizen, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors again showed why they are this year’s K League 1 champions. Although they did concede an xGA total of 1.93, the Green Warriors were efficient from their own xG tally of 1.71, while taking 26 touches in the opposition box, six of their 13 shots on target, and making 154 passes in the opposition half. This weekend, Jeonbuk face Pohang Steelers, who drew 0-0 with FC Seoul in Round 36.
Player of the Round
Kim Dae-won, Gangwon FC (vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen)
As Gangwon FC kept their 14th clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 away victory against Gimcheon Sangmu, Kim Dae-won delivered another strong performance further up the pitch. There, the winger created two chances, took seven touches in the opposition box, made three passes to the final third, nine recoveries, and drew three fouls. On Saturday, Gangwon travel to face a Daejeon Hana Citizen side that remained in second-place despite a 3-1 defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before the international break.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 37
Having confirmed their top-flight safety with consecutive wins, FC Anyang will look to continue momentum against Suwon FC, who themselves sit five points away from safety following a 1-0 defeat to Ulsan HD. Elsewhere, FC Seoul are out to try and continue their push for continental qualification when hosting a Gimcheon Sangmu side that has lost back-to-back matches, while Ulsan HD are hoping to guarantee their K League 1 survival on their travels to the already safe Gwangju FC.
K League 1 Round 37 Fixtures
Saturday 22nd November
FC Anyang (7th) vs. Suwon FC (10th) - 14:00
FC Seoul (5th) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (3rd) - 14:00 [ENG]
Daejeon Hana Citizen (2nd) vs. Gangwon FC (6th) - 14:00 [ENG]
Gwangju FC (8th) vs. Ulsan HD (9th) - 16:30
Pohang Steelers (4th) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) - 16:30 [ENG]
Sunday 23rd November
Jeju SK (11th) vs. Daegu FC (12th) - 14:00 [ENG]
Watch all matches live on
TV.KLeague.com. English commentary provided where indicated.
