Suwon Samsung Bluewings host Jeju SK in the first leg of the K League promotion/relegation playoff between the K League 2 runners-up, and K League 1’s 11th-placed side.
Overview & Match Information
Fixture: Suwon Samsung Bluewings vs. Jeju SK
Competition: 2025 Hana Bank K League Promotion-Relegation Playoff 1
Venue: Suwon World Cup Stadium
In the first leg of this K League Promotion-Relegation Playoff 1, Suwon Samsung Bluewings will be looking to use home advantage to set their standards for a prospective return to the top flight for the first time since 2023. To do so, they will need to get past Jeju SK, who are out to continue a recent trend of K League 1 sides emerging victorious in these playoff games, and who are aiming to avoid falling into K League 2 for the first time since 2020.
Regardless of the result, both sides will meet again on Sunday 7th December to officially determine their fate, with that match taking place at the Jeju World Cup Stadium.
Recent Form
Suwon Samsung Bluewings finished their K League 2 campaign with a nine-match unbeaten streak, racking up four wins and five draws from September 27th onwards. Remaining in second place since Round 15, the Bluewings’ final points total of 72 is the most any second division side in the playoffs has earned since 2022, when Daejeon Hana Citizen finished on 74. Back-to-back stalemates to officially end their season does technically mean Byun Sung-hwan’s men have not won since the beginning of November, however.
On the other hand, recently Jeju SK’s form has steadied, with two wins, one draw and two losses in K League 1 Final B action. Last time out, a 1-0 away victory against Ulsan HD secured their Promotion-Relegation Playoff spot, and importantly gave the Tangerines just their third away win of the season heading into their trip to the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
Head-to-Head
Recently, Jeju SK have had the advantage in this fixture, winning three out of the last five meetings. In that stretch, all three victories for the Tangerines came in 2023, the year Suwon Samsung Bluewings found themselves relegated. However, overall, the Bluewings do have the upper hand, winning 55 of the 97 meetings overall, drawing 15, and losing 27.
Key Players
Matheus Serafim, Suwon Samsung Bluewings
With three goals and an assist in his last four games, Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ joint top-scorer Matheus Serafim (13 goals) could be key to a playoff victory. This year, the Brazilian winger has been efficient, and averages (per 90) 5.8 touches in the opposition box, 2.44 shots, 1.34 chances created, 2.09 fouls won and 0.93 successful dribbles.
Lee Chang-min, Jeju SK
A consistent performer in the middle of the pitch, Jeju SK captain Lee Chang-min could well be vital to his own team’s fortunes in this playoff. This year, the 31-year-old averages (per 90) 1.34 chances created, 5.06 accurate long passes, 1.37 interceptions, 5.79 recoveries, 2.02 tackles, and 2.02 shots.
Follow the match LIVE, for FREE, and in HD on
TV.KLeague.com. English commentary provided.
