K League Classic 2016 Round 23 + Challenge Round 26 – Previews / Predictions (July 30th-31st)

This is the final round in July 2016, with the league title already looking like it’s staying in Jeonju for another year. Also the weather forecast once again is looking hot and sunny for the most part, possible rain on Sunday. The highlight game of this round is on Sunday evening between 2nd placed FC Seoul and 7th placed Pohang Steelers. Seoul need a win to stay in the title hunt, whilst Pohang will be looking to push back into the top half.

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 a 14 point lead at the top over FC Seoul. With Ulsan Hyundai close behind in 3rd. There are only 12 points separating 4th and 11th, so the whole table is still very tight.
At the other end of the table, Suwon FC are still bottom, and but now only 3 points point behind Incheon United in 11th.

K League Classic 2016 Round 23 Previews & Predictions

This round of games take place evenly over Saturday (3) and Sunday (3). All of the games take place in the early evening at 6 or 7pm. Here are our brief previews and predictions for the 23rd round of 2016 K League Classic games;

Saturday July 30th 2016:

Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Gwangju (7pm)

Run away league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai are now heavy favorites to win their 3rd title in as many years. They’ve won their last 4 league games and are undefeated in the league this season. Gwangju won for the first time in 5 games with an impressive 4-0 victory over Sangju Sangmu. Still we see Jeonbuk winning this one.
*Fun Fact: Gwangju have never beaten Jeonbuk away in 10 attempts. Lucky 11?*
Prediction: 3 – 1

Ulsan Hyundai vs. Jeonnam Dragons (7pm)

Ulsan Hyundai are still in 3rd place despite losing their last 2 games. Jeonnam Dragons are undefeated in 4 league games winning 3 of those. Moving them above Suwon Bluewings into 9th place. These sides generally don’t play out dull games. Jeonnam won the previous encounter 3-1 in June, but Ulsan won back in March 2-1. So this is a rubber match, which we see ending in a draw.
*Fun Fact: Ulsan have only lost once at home against Jeonnam Dragons.*
Prediction: 1 – 1

Suwon FC vs. Sangju Sangmu (7pm)

Bottom side Suwon FC seem to have found some of their early season form, winning their last 2 games and moving to within 3 points of 11th placed Incheon United. Sangju Sangmu fell to a surprise 4-0 hammering last weekend against Gwangju, their second defeat on the bounce. Suwon will go into this one full of confidence and might slight favorites. Also New Suwon Bruce Djité could be in line for a debut
*Fun Fact: Sangju Sangmu beat Suwon 3-0 only a month ago.*
Prediction: 2 – 1

Sunday July 31st 2016:

Incheon United vs. Seongnam FC (6pm)

Incheon United have lost a little form recently and are still in the thick of the relegation battle. They have 2 win, 2 defeats and a draw from their last 5 league games. Seongnam FC have exactly the same recent form record, but sit slightly high in the table in 4th place. They both hold 1 win over each other this season so this is the likely decider. We see Seongnam winning due to their strong away record (even without Tiago Alves)
*Fun Fact: Incheon haven’t beaten Seongnam FC at home since 2011.*
Prediction: 1 – 2

FC Seoul vs. Pohang Steelers (7pm)

2nd placed FC Seoul will be looking to break a slight poor run this Sunday, they have lost their last 2 games. They also haven’t won at home since the middle of June. Pohang Steelers also need a win, but to help push them back into the top half again. They won their last game, but lost the 3 prior to that. Pohang have beaten Seoul twice this season 3-1 & 2-1 both back in May. Close game on paper, but we see Seoul edging this one.
*Fun Fact: It’s been a year since FC Seoul last beat Pohang, Park Chu-Young scored a brace.*
Prediction: 2 – 0

Suwon Bluewings vs. Jeju United (7pm)

In the final game of the weekend Suwon Bluewings look to finally kickstart their awful season. The Bluewings sit down in 10th place and relegation is a real possibility. However their recent form isn’t bad 3 wins in 5. Jeju United won for the first time in 6 games last time out coming back 3 times to beat 2nd placed FC Seoul. Close game on paper, but we’re siding with Suwon, due to Jeju’s inconsistent away form.
*Fun Fact: In 15 games between these sides at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, only 1 has finished in a draw.*
Prediction: 3 – 1

K League Classic 2016 Round 23 Results & Photos

K League Classic 2016 Round 23 Results:

Saturday July 30th:
Jeonbuk Hyundai 3 – 0 Gwangju
Suwon FC 0 – 2 Sangju Sangmu
Ulsan Hyundai 0 – 2 Jeonnam Dragons

Sunday July 31st:
Incheon United 2 – 2 Seongnam FC
FC Seoul 2 – 0 Pohang Steelers
Suwon Bluewings 5 – 3 Jeju United

New K League Classic Signings, Transfers and More

K League Challenge 2016 Round 26

The K League Challenge season still has a fair way to go and it’s always wide open due to the playoff places. One of the standout games of the round is on Sunday evening between the top 2 sides league leaders Ansan Mugunghwa and 2nd placed Daegu. With Ansan holding a 8 point lead at the top, this could swing the title in a few different directions.

Also during the week bottom side Goyang Zaicro set a new record low attendance with only 193 turning up for their game with Busan I’Park. Questions remain on if they’ll continue in the league much longer.

K League Challenge 2016 League Table Update

The league table has finally taken shape and Ansan Mugunghwa currently lead the way with an 8 point lead over Daegu in 2nd. Gangwon and Bucheon 1995 complete the playoff places. At the other end of the table, Goyang and Chungju are both slipping away from the rest.

K League Challenge 2016 Round 26 Predictions

This round of games take place on Saturday (2), Sunday (1) and Monday (2). The games all take place in the early evening 7 or 7.30pm. Here are our predictions for the 26th round of 2016 K League Challenge games;