There isn’t much time to recover from the weekends games as the K League Classic moves into a midweek round of action. The highlight game of this round is of course the top of the table clash between FC Seoul (2nd) and Jeonbuk Hyundai (1st). This game could be key moving into the second half of the 2016 season, with Jeonbuk looking to increase their lead at the top. With FC Seoul on the other hand looking to cut that lead.
K League Classic 2016 League Table Update
As we move into the mid point of the season the league table has taken shape. Jeonbuk now have an eight point lead at the top over FC Seoul. With Ulsan Hyundai close behind in 3rd. There are only 5 points separating 4th and 7th, so the mid-table is still tight.
At the other end of the table, Suwon FC are still bottom, and 6 points behind Incheon United. With Incheon United and Suwon Bluewings a little above them.
K League Classic 2016 Round 21 Previews & Predictions
This round of games all take place on Wednesday (6). All of the games take place in the early evening either 7 or 7.30pm. Here are our brief previews and predictions for the 21st round of 2016 K League Classic games;
Wednesday July 20th 2016:
Sangju Sangmu vs. Suwon Bluewings (7pm)
The first game of the day features in form army side Sangju Sangmu who have on impressive 6 wins from their last 7 games. This form has seen them jump up the table into 4th place. Suwon Bluewings however have had a pretty awful season, they’re down in 9th place with only 1 win in 4 games (the Suwon Derby). Sangju beat Suwon earlier this season and we see them doing it again.
*Fun Fact: This is the 32nd clash between these sides, with Suwon holding the advantage with 18 wins vs. Sangju’s 7*
Prediction: 4 – 2
Gwangju vs. Jeonnam Dragons (7pm)
Gwangju have had a mixed season so far and seem to be doing just enough to stay away from the relegation battle. They have just 1 win from their last 5 games. Jeonnam Dragons aren’t doing much better and a sit a couple of places below Gwangju on the league table, they have however won their last 2 league games. This will be an interesting game, with we see Jeonnam winning, revenge from their early season 2-1 defeat.
*Fun Fact: Jeonnam only have 1 away win against Gwangju from back in 2011*
Prediction: 1 – 2
FC Seoul vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai (7.30pm)
FC Seoul are currently in 2nd place in the table and 8 points adrift of league leaders and opponents Jeonbuk Hyundai. Seoul narrowly beat Incheon at the weekend in the Gyeongin Derby, their first win in 5 league games. Jeonbuk Hyundai are still undefeated in the league this season and won at the weekend, taking their record to 3 wins in 4 league games. Jeonbuk won the early season tie 1-0, however this will be a closer game and we see it ending in a draw.
*Fun Fact: Seoul edge the head-to-head record with 14 wins vs. Jeonbuk’s 13 wins (there were also 14 draws)*
Prediction: 1 – 1
Seongnam FC vs. Jeju United (7.30pm)
Seongnam FC are currently in 5th place and still have an outside chance of the title. They have 3 wins from their last 4 league games. Jeju United have collapsed in recent weeks going 5 games without a win and dropping down to 6th place. The previous game this season ended 2-2, however we see Seongnam winning this time around.
*Fun Fact: Jeju have only beaten Seongnam away 3 times in 16 games*
Prediction: 2 – 0
Suwon FC vs. Pohang Steelers (7.30pm)
Bottom side Suwon FC host Pohang Steelers with both sides needing a win. Suwon FC lost again at the weekend, making it 9 games without a win. Pohang Steelers also lost at the weekend, making their recent form 3 wins and 3 defeats from 6. The last time these two played Suwon FC won giving them a 100% record over the South East Coast side.
This will be a close game, however we see Pohang edging it.
*Fun Fact: Suwon FC only have 1 player aged under 21 in their first team squad*
Prediction: 1 – 3
Ulsan Hyundai vs. Incheon United (7.30pm)
The final game of this midweek round is another FA Cup deja-vu game, this sides played a week ago with Ulsan winning 4-1 on the night.
Ulsan Hyundai are currently 3rd in the league level on points with second placed Seoul. They have 3 wins in 5 games. Incheon United on the other hand are 11th and deep in the relegation battle. They have 2 wins in 4 league games.
Ulsan have beaten Incheon twice already this season, and we see them making this the hat-trick.
*Fun Fact: Incheon last beat Ulsan away back in August 2012 with Seol Ki-Hyeon scoring the winning goal.*
Prediction: 2 – 1
K League Classic 2016 Round 21 Results & Photos
K League Classic 2016 Round 21 Results:
Wednesday July 20th:
Sangju Sangmu 0 – 1 Suwon Bluewings
Gwangju 0 – 0 Jeonnam Dragons
FC Seoul 2 – 3 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Seongnam FC 0 – 0 Jeju United
Suwon FC 1 – 0 Pohang Steelers
Ulsan Hyundai 1 – 3 Incheon United
K League Challenge 2016
The K League Challenge returns this coming weekend.
Finally
For information on the all of our previous K League Round by Round Previews and More: CLICK HERE
As always if you have anything you’d like to add please let us know. 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 