The K League Classic moves into the 37th round of the season, the final round of the season. At this stage of the season the top 6 and bottom 6 will play each other 1 more time. The top 6 are aiming for a top 3 Champions League place, Jeonbuk have already claimed the 2014 K League Classic Title whilst Suwon have tied up 2nd place. On the other hand the bottom 6 are trying to avoid bottom spot and relegation (which has already been confirmed as Sangju Sangmu), as well as 11th placed the relegation playoff place.
K League Classic League Table
As there has now been 37 games played (just 1 reminding) and we’ve pasted the leagues end of season split. Here for reference here is the latest K League Classic 2014 League Table; including Games Played, Points and Goal Difference:
The league table does make for interesting reading and there are a number of tight areas. To make it a little easier we’ve split the preview by top and bottom.
Championship Round: Jeonbuk have already been confirmed as champions and Suwon runners up. Pohang Steelers and FC Seoul both still have a chance for the 3rd champions league place. Pohang only need a point to confirm 3rd, whilst FC Seoul need them to lose and to win their final game o the season.
Relegation Round: Sangju Sangmu are already relegated and will return to the K League Challenge next year. Gyeongnam, Seongnam and Incheon United could all end the day in 11th, however Gyeongnam look favorites and require a win and Seongnam to lose or Incheon to lose and there be a large points swing.
K League Classic 2014 Round 38 Previews & Predictions
This round of games are split between Saturday and Sunday. The Relegation round games will be played on Saturday whilst the Championship round will be played on Sunday. Here are brief previews of this weekends K League Classic Round 38 Games;
Saturday November 29th 2014 (all Relegation Round):
Sangju Sangmu vs. Gyeongnam (2pm)
Saturdays 1st relegation round game is between relegated Sangju Sangmu and 11th placed Gyeongnam.
Sangju Sangmu have lost 5 of their last 8 and are already relegated.
Gyeongnam have 5 points from their last 4 games, they need a win to possibly avoid the relegation playoff.
We see Gyeongnam ending this one but they’ll still end up in the relegation playoff.
Prediction: 2 – 4
Seongnam FC vs. Busan I’Park (2pm)
Saturdays 2nd relegation round game features FA Cup winners Seongnam FC and 8th placed Busan I’Park.
Seongnam have just 1 win in 7 games, and have drawn their last 3 games.
Busan I’Park have 5 wins and 4 draws from their last 9 games.
Seongnam will guarantee their safety with a win and that looks pretty possible.
Prediction: 1 – 0
Jeonnam Dragons vs. Incheon United (2pm)
Saturdays 3rd relegation round game is between 7th placed Jeonnam Dragons and still in danger 9th placed Incheon United.
Jeonnam have only won last weekend for the first time since the split.
Incheon United have only 2 points for their 4 split games.
A draw would be enough for Incheon and that looks like the likely outcome.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Sunday November 30th 2014 (all Championship Round)
Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Ulsan Hyundai (4pm)
Sundays first Championship Round game is between champions Jeonbuk Hyundai and 6th placed Ulsan Hyundai. The Hyundai derby.
Jeonbuk have won 9 in a row and have the best defensive and attacking records in the league.
Ulsan have only 2 wins from their last 11 games.
Jeonbuk will be clear favorites to cap an impressive season.
Prediction: 3 – 1
Jeju United vs. FC Seoul (2pm)
Sundays second Championship Round game is between 5th placed Jeju United and 4th placed FC Seoul.
Jeju United won last weekend for the first time in 7 games last weekend.
FC Seoul have just 2 wins from their last 6 league games.
FC Seoul still have a slight chance of making the Asian Champions League with a win.
Prediction: 0 – 2
Pohang Steelers vs. Suwon Bluewings (2pm)
Sundays third Championship Round game is between 3rd placed Pohang Steelers vs. Suwon Bluewings.
Pohang Steelers have just 1 win in 11 games.
Suwon Bluewings have won 2 and lost 2 since the split.
A draw would suit both sides at the final round of the season and that’s the way we see it going.
Prediction: 1 – 1
K League Classic 2014 Round 38 End of the Season Results
Saturday November 29th:
Sangju Sangmu 3 – 1 Gyeongnam
Seongnam FC 1 – 0 Busan I’Park
Jeonnam Dragons 0 – 0 Incheon United
Slightly anticlimactic end of the season as Gyeongnam lose to Sangju Sangmu and will enter the Relegation / Promotion Playoffs vs. Gwangju on December 3rd and 6th.
Sunday November 30th:
Jeju United 1 – 2 FC Seoul
Pohang Steelers 1 – 2 Suwon Bluewings
Jeonbuk Hyundai 1 – 1 Ulsan Hyundai
FC Seoul claim 3rd place by the narrowest of margins thanks to an 89th minute winner. They’ll join Jeonbuk, Suwon and Cup winners Seongnam FC in next seasons Asian Champions League. For reference here is the final table for the 2014 K League Classic Season;
Pictures and Instagram Posts from K League Classic Round 38
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K League Classic 2014 Round 38 Predictions Round Up
3 correct results with 1 perfect score.
K League Challenge 2014 (Playoff Final)
This weekend is features the K League Challenge playoff final between Ansan Police and last weekends semi-final winners Gwangju. This match will be played over a single game and Ansan Police will progress via and win or a draw. The winner will progress to the 2 legged relegation/promotion play-off vs. the side who finishes 11th in the K League Classic.
K League Challenge Playoff Final Result:
Saturday November 29th:
Ansan Police 0 – 3 Gwangju
Gwangju surprised nearly everyone by beating Ansan by 3 goals. Brazilian strike duo Fabio and Diego scored all 3 goals. Ansan finished the game with just 10 men and will once again play in the K League Challenge next season.
KFA Challengers League
To the surprise of many KBS Sports showed the Challengers League (4th tier of Korean Football) Playoff Final instead of any K League Classic games. The final was between Pocheon and Hwaseong FC. The Final result was Pocheon 1 – 3 Hwaseong FC. To give the lower leagues of Korean Football a little support here is a little of the action;
Finally
For information on the previous round of K League Classic and Challenge action, K League Classic 2014 Round 37 + FA Cup Final CLICK HERE.
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We will try and keep things updated as best as possible via Twitter (and little via Facebook).
Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 