The K League Classic now moves into round 22 of the regular season and with only 5 games now until the split, so every game is must win. This weekends Fixtures are listed above.
Here are our brief previews of each game as well as predictions for this K League Classic Round 22:
K League Classic Round 22:
Gangwon vs. Jeju United (Saturday 7pm)
13th Placed and relegation threatened Gangwon host under performing 8th placed Jeju United. Gangwon have lost their last 3 games and haven’t won since June. Jeju United haven’t done much better, they won in the FA Cup vs. Incheon United during the week but the league they’ve struggled and haven’t won in 5 games (2D 3L). This game is must win for both sides, however we’re going to side with Jeju to edge it (just).
Prediction: 1 – 2
Ulsan Hyundai vs. Jeonbuk Motors (Saturday 7pm)
This is the 1st of 2 big Saturday games at the top of the K League Classic, with 2nd placed Ulsan Hyundai hosting 3rd placed Jeonbuk Motors. Ulsan lost top spot last weekend as they could only scrape a lucky 2-2 draw vs. Incheon United, however their recent form has been very strong 3 Wins and 2 draws in their last 5. Jeonbuk Motors hammered Suwon City FC in the Cup during the week 7-2 and have looked very strong in the league 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5. So this one could go either way, but we’re going to side with a draw.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Incheon United vs. FC Seoul (Saturday 7.30pm)
In the 2nd of the top of the table Saturday clashes, 5th placed Incheon United host 4th placed FC Seoul. This game is also known as the Gyeongin Derby, and is always a fiery and interesting game. Both sides lost in the FA Cup during the week, however FC Seoul’s league form has been fantastic recently with 5 wins in their last 5 games. Incheon United haven’t been doing so well with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last 5. This game should be great and we honestly feel it will end in a draw.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Daejeon Citizen vs. Pohang Steelers (Sunday 6pm)
Sundays early game has bottom of the league Daejeon Citizen host top of the league Pohang Steelers. As you might expect Daejeon have been on pretty bad form recently but not terrible, they’ve lost 2 but drawn 3 of their last 5. However they are still 4 points adrift at the bottom of the K League with only 1 win all season. Pohang on the other hand are on a 3 match winning run in the league and progressed into the semi finals of the FA Cup during the week. Obviously we’re going to side with Pohang but you just never know what can happen in football.
Prediction: 0 – 2
Gyeongnam vs. Suwon Bluewings (Sunday 7pm)
11th placed Gyeongnam host 6th placed Suwon Bluewings in one of three 7pm Sunday games. Gyeongnam continued their bad run of form in the cup during the week losing a close game vs. League leaders Pohang, in the league their are on a 3 game losing run. Suwon Bluewings have been on inconsistent form recently with 2 wins and 2 losses from their previous 4 games. Honestly we feel that Suwon should win this one which is bad news for Gyeongnam.
Prediction: 1 – 3
Chunnam Dragons vs. Daegu (Sunday 7pm)
10th placed Chunnam Dragons host 12th placed Daegu in a real 6 pointer towards the bottom of the K League Classic. Chunnam always contest close games and although they are towards the bottom of the league have one of the better defensive records. Their recent form has been OK with 4 points from their last 4 games. Daegu are going though another bad run of form with 3 defeats form their last 4 games (although they did beat Seongnam in the other game). This again is a close game to call, but we feel Chunnam should edge it.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Seongnam vs. Busan I’Park (Sunday 7pm)
9th placed Seongnam host 7th placed Busan I’Park in the last of this weeks games. Both teams still have a chance of making the championship side of the league split (5 games away). Seongnam are still looking for a win and haven’t won in their last 5. Busan I’Park have been doing a little better with 2 wins and 2 defeats in the their last 4 league games and they also beat FC Seoul during the week in the FA Cup. This is a hard one to call but we feel Busan should win.
Prediction: 0 – 2
K League Classic Round 22 Results
Saturday August 10th
Ulsan Hyundai 2 – 2 Jeonbuk Motors
Gangwon 0 – 4 Jeju United
Incheon United 2 – 3 FC Seoul
Ulsan Came back from 2 – 0 down to earn a draw.
Jeju won easily in Gangwon and added 2 late goals.
Incheon United twice came back from being behind, but a late late goal gave FC Seoul the 3 points and the bragging rights.
Sunday August 11th
Daejeon Citizen 0 – 1 Pohang Steelers
Gyeongnam 0 – 3 Suwon Bluewings
Seongnam 1 – 0 Busan I’Park
Chunnam Dragons 1 – 1 Daegu
Pohang retook top spot thanks to a 1 – 0 win over 10 men Daejeon, the only goal coming from a penalty.
Suwon took home 3 points and even saved an early Gyeongnam penalty.
Seongnam scored part way into the second half to take a valuable 3 points in a pretty average game.
Daegu picked up a valuable away point vs. Chunnam.
Our Round 22 Predictions Round Up
This week we predicted 4 correct results but no perfect scores.
K League Challenge
The K League Challenge is now moving onto round 19 and the 4 games are split over 3 days (1 Sat, 2 Sun, 1 Mon). The highlight game of this round is the meeting between 4th placed FC Anyang and 3rd placed Gwangju, as they both try and close the gap between the Police and Army (Sangju Sangmu) at the top of the table.
K League Challenge Round 19 Results
Goyang Hi 1 – 0 Sangju Sangmu
FC Anyang 3 – 3 Gwangju
Suwon City FC 3 – 3 Bucheon 1995
Chungju Hummel (Mon) Korean Police
Korean FA Cup or KFA Cup
As already mentioned this week saw the Quarter Final stage of the Korean FA Cup or KFA Cup. Although the FA Cup hasn’t really excited the fans to much here in South Korea the teams know that a win leads to a spot in the Asian Champions League which is well worth having. Here are the results of the 4 games:
Korean FA Cup Quarter Final Results
Jeonbuk Motors 7 – 2 Suwon City FC
Jeju United 2 – 0 Incheon United
Gyeongnam 1 – 2 Pohang Steelers
FC Seoul 1 – 2 Busan I’Park
Closing
For all of the information from the previous round of games which happened last weekend, K League Classic Round 21 please CLICK HERE.
As always if you have anything you’d like to add please let us know and have a nice Friday / Weekend.
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Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 