K League Classic 2016 Round 30 + Challenge Round 35 – Previews / Predictions (September 17th-18th)

With the AFC Champions League Quarter Finals and now Chuseok behind us, we can now look towards the weekends K League action. There are only 4 rounds remaining until the league split so this is a key time to find some form. The highlight game of this round is the Sunday evening match between run away league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai and under performing Suwon Bluewings. Jeonbuk could in theory take the title within the next month and would need a complete collapse to lose it now.
The Saturday highlight game is between bottom side Incheon United and Sangju Sangmu. Incheon need a win to continue their fight against relegation.

K League Classic 2016 League Table Update

As we move quickly towards the end of season league split the table is still close in the middle. Jeonbuk now have a 13 point lead and a game in hand at the top over FC Seoul. With Ulsan Hyundai 8 points behind them in 3rd. With Jeju United very close behind them. There are only 6 points separating 4th and 9th, so the mid table battle is very tight.
At the other end of the table, Incheon United are still bottom despite beating FC Seoul last weekend, but are only 2 points behind Suwon FC in 11th. Suwon Bluewings are 5 points ahead of them.

K League Classic 2016 Round 30 Previews & Predictions

This round of games take place on Saturday (3) and Sunday (3). The games take place in the late afternoon or early evening between 4pm-7pm (some different than originally listed). Here are our brief previews and predictions for the 30th round of 2016 K League Classic games;

Saturday September 17th 2016:

Sangju Sangmu vs. Incheon United (4pm)

Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and moved to Incheon on Sunday, 6pm Kick Off. (Naver News Details) Free entry, makes up for the short notice.

The early game this weekend is between 5th placed Sangju Sangmu and bottom side Incheon United. Sangju Sangmu have suffered on and off the field recently, with a number of players returning to their parent clubs following their military service. On the field 1 win in 6 and over 2 months since their last home win. Incheon United snapped a 7 game win-less run by beating rivals FC Seoul last weekend. They are still 2 points adrift from Suwon FC and need a win here. We see Incheon edge this one, but it will be scrappy.
*Fun Fact: Incheon haven’t beaten Sangju away in 4 years.*
Prediction: 1 – 2

Seongnam FC vs. Suwon FC (6pm)

The second of Saturday’s game is also key in the relegation battle as 7th placed Seongnam host 11th placed Suwon FC. Seongnam have slipped for the Champions League spots to the bottom half, with just 1 win in 9 games. Suwon FC have found some important form and have 10 points from their last 4 games. We see Suwon FC winning this one.
*Fun Fact: These sides have only played 3 times before with 1 win a piece and a draw*
Prediction: 1 – 2

Jeonnam Dragons vs. Gwangju (7pm)

The late Saturday game features two sides battling to finish in the top half, 8th placed Jeonnam Dragons and 6th placed Gwangju. Jeonnam have improved recently with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat from their last 5 games. Gwangju are undefeated in 6 games, with 3 wins and3 draws. This will be close and a draw seems likely.
*Fun Fact: Jeonnam have only beaten Gwangju once in 6 games..*
Prediction: 1 – 1

Sunday September 18th 2016:

FC Seoul vs. Jeju United (4pm)

The first of Sundays games is between 2 sides in race for the Asian Champions League spots 2nd placed FC Seoul and 4th placed Jeju United. FC Seoul are a little far off the title now, but are still in 2 cups. However they haven’t won in 4 games. Jeju United have 3 wins from their last 6 games, but are weak away. We see a changed FC Seoul side (due to their Champions League game during the week) win this one.
*Fun Fact: Jeju have beaten Seoul in both of their encounters so far this season..*
Prediction: 2 – 0

Ulsan Hyundai vs. Pohang Steelers (6pm)

The second of Sunday’s games is a South East derby between 3rd placed Ulsan Hyundai and 9th placed Pohang Steelers. Ulsan have only 1 win in 10 games, but have drawn 5 of those games. Pohang Steelers haven’t done any better with only 2 wins in 11 games. This is an interesting game between two out of form sides, but we see Ulsan edging it at home.
*Fun Fact: Ulsan last beat Pohang at home in August 2013.*
Prediction: 3 – 1

Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Suwon Bluewings (6pm)

The final game of the weekend features run away leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai and struggling Suwon Bluewings. Jeonbuk Hyundai hammered Shanghai in the Champions League during the week and will be looking to take that form into this games. 4 time K League Champions Suwon Bluewings are still stuck in the relegation battle with only 1 win in 6 games. We see Jeonbuk winning this one.
*Fun Fact: Suwon last beat Jeonbuk away 3 seasons ago.*
Prediction: 3 – 1

K League Classic 2016 Round 30 Results & Photos

Saturday September 17th:
Seongnam FC 2 – 1 Suwon Bluewings
Jeonnam Dragons 2 – 0 Gwangju

Sunday September 18th:
FC Seoul 0 – 0 Jeju United
Incheon United 0 – 0 Sangju Sangmu
Ulsan Hyundai 1 – 0 Pohang Steelers
Jeonbuk Hyundai 1 – 1 Suwon Bluewings

Sunday:

K League Challenge 2016 Round 35

The K League Challenge reaches the 35th round landmark of the 2016 season this weekend, with sides only having around 9 games still to play this season. This round is spread over 3 days and the standout game is one with big title and playoff implications, Daejeon Citizen vs. Bucheon 1995. This Monday evening game could see Bucheon go top (if Ansan lose on Saturday), whilst on the other hand it could see Daejeon stage a late run for a playoff place.

K League Challenge 2016 League Table Update

The league table is looking close as we enter the final quarter of the season and Ansan Mugunghwa currently lead the way with only a 2 point lead over Bucheon 1995 in 2nd. Gangwon and Daegu complete the playoff places. The next 4 sides are only separated by 2 points, but are 5 points away from the playoff places. At the other end of the table, Goyang and Chungju are both well adrift of the rest now. But fortunately for them there is no relegation this season.

K League Challenge 2016 Round 35 Predictions

This round of games take place on Saturday (2), Sunday (1) and Monday (2). The games all take place in either the mid afternoon or early evening, anywhere between 4pm-7.30pm. Here are our predictions for the 35th round of 2016 K League Challenge games;