After the midweeks AFC Champions League action we return to looking at the K League Classic. The two top sides FC Seoul and Jeonbuk Hyundai clash on Sunday evening in a game that will be key in the title race. Both sides featured in the previously mentioned Champions League games and therefore will be equally tired. So this game might expose a lack of squad strength in depth or overall fitness levels.
The two sides are currently separated by 10 points, but are have a healthy 10 point lead over 3rd placed Sangju Sangmu. As shown in the latest league table;
For details on the rest of this weekends K League Classic and Challenge Fixtures please CLICK HERE
Here is our brief preview, head-to-head details and prediction for Shanghai SIPG vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai;
Shanghai SIPG vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai (Tuesday August 23rd 2016)
FC Seoul:
FC Seoul are 4 time K League champions, most recently back in 2012. They won impressively during the week in the Champions League 3-1 against Super League side Shandong Luneng. In the league they maybe 10 points behind Jeonbuk Hyundai but they are doing everything possible to close the gap. They have won their last 5 league games on the bounce, however this season their home record is weaker than their away only winning 6 of their 13 home games. They are however the league top scorers with 52 goals so far this season.
Key Player: In-form Dejan Damjanović is the clubs record goalscorer and even at 35 still knows how to find the back of the net. Recently he has 8 goals in the last 8 games, including one during the week against Shandong Luneng.
Jeonbuk Hyundai:
Jeonbuk Hyundai have won the league the previous 2 seasons and are looking good to complete a hat trick this year as well. They drew during the week in the Champions League 0-0 in Shanghai. In the league they are still undefeated this season, but they have drawn 11 of their 27 games, 9 of them being away from home. They have the league best defensive record, only conceding 28 times in 27 games. Their recent form has been solid with 6 wins and 2 draws from their previous 8 league games.
Key Player: Brazilian and former Jeju United striker Ricardo Lopes has 6 goals in the last 7 league games and will be the danger man going forward.
Head-to-Head:
They’ve played 42 times and the record is amazingly tight with both sides winning 14 times each as well as there being 14 draws.
At the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the home side have the advantage with 8 wins from 20 games.
So far this season Jeonbuk have won both previous encounters 1-0 at the start of the season and 3-2 around a month ago.
Seoul haven’t beaten Jeonbuk at home since November 2013 when they won 4-1, Dejan bagged a hat-trick that afternoon.
Prediction:
FC Seoul 1 – 1 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Seoul are weaker at home and Jeonbuk are weaker away, couple this with the energy used during the week in the champions league and we see a draw. The game could be open at times, but a lack of cutting edge maybe the issue. Seoul did rest Adriano for much of the Champions League game but he isn’t on the greatest run at the moment. Overall it could go either way, but we feel both sides will be happy with and will settle for a draw.
FC Seoul vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai (August 28th) – Result & Photos
FC Seoul 1-3 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Jeonbuk picked up the 3 points and maybe the title.
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 