After a mixed couple of weeks of International action the K League Classic returns this weekend for it’s first round following the league split. There are 5 rounds to go until the end of the season. The top 6 sides enter the Championship round to compete for the title and the Champions League places. Whilst the bottom 6 sides try to avoid the pain of relegation down to the Challenge.
The key game in the Championship Round is on Saturday between leaders Jeonbuk and 3rd placed Jeju United, a win for Jeonbuk could be key in the title race.
In the relegation round the only game on Saturday stands out. It’s between Pohang Steelers and Suwon Bluewings, a win for either side would reduce their relegation worries.
K League Classic 2016 League Table Update
Due to Jeonbuk’s point reduced they now only have a 3 point lead at the top of the title ahead of FC Seoul. Jeju United are 8 points between them and currently occupy the final champions league spot. Ulsan, Jeonnam and Sangju complete the championship round of the post-split league table.
Looking at the bottom of the table, Suwon FC are 2 points behind Incheon United, who are 2 points behind Suwon Bluewings. 4 points ahead of them we have Gwangju, Pohang and Seongnam who aren’t safe from danger yet.
K League Classic 2016 Round 34 Previews & Predictions
This round of games take place on Saturday (3) and Sunday (3). All of the games take place at the Traditional English Football time of 3pm. Here are our brief previews and predictions for the 34th round of 2016 K League Classic games;
Saturday October 15th 2016:
Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Jeju United (3pm) – Championship Round
League leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai take on 3rd placed Jeju United on Saturday afternoon. Jeonbuk are undefeated so far this season in the league, but have drawn 4 of their last 5. Jeju United’s late run of form has seen them move up into 3rd place and they won their last two games before the league split. A close game on paper, but it’s hard not to back Jeonbuk at home.
*Fun Fact: Jeju have never beaten Jeonbuk away from home.*
Prediction: 2 – 1
FC Seoul vs. Ulsan Hyundai (3pm) – Championship Round
The second of Saturdays games features 2nd placed FC Seoul and 4th placed Ulsan Hyundai . FC Seoul have won their last 2 league games, and are only 3 points between league leaders Jeonbuk. Ulsan Hyundai are firmly in the battle for a champions league spot winning 2 of their last 3. Close game on paper, and we see this ending in an entertaining draw.
*Fun Fact: The last two games between these sides have ended all square..*
Prediction: 1 – 1
Pohang Steelers vs. Suwon Bluewings (3pm) – Relegation Round
At the beginning of the season these sides were playing champions league football, but now they’re stuck in the relegation battle. Pohang have won their last 2 games, snapping a 3 game losing run. Suwon Bluewings have only 1 win in 10 games, and are surviving on draws. We’re siding with Pohang to edge it, but Suwon will keep it close.
*Fun Fact: 3 draws from 3 clashes in 2016.*
Prediction: 2 – 1
Sunday October 16th 2016:
Sangju Sangmu vs. Jeonnam Dragons (3pm) – Championship Round
Sundays only Championship round game features the two bottom of the group sides, mainly playing for pride. Sangju Sangmu haven’t won in 7 games, and were lucky to make the top 6. Jeonnam have 2 wins in 4 games. A close game on paper, but we’re siding with Jeonnam Dragons.
*Fun Fact: These sides haven’t drawn a game in over 4 years.*
Prediction: 0 – 3
Seongnam FC vs. Incheon United (3pm) – Relegation Round
Only 4 points from their final 8 games has dumped Seongnam onto the edge of the relegation battle. Incheon United are one of the league form siding with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 games. Incheon United will be slight favorites here.
*Fun Fact: Incheon have only beaten Seongnam away 3 times in 19 previous games.*
Prediction: 1 – 2
Suwon FC vs. Gwangju (3pm) – Relegation Round
Suwon FC will have been glad for the short break after winning the match of the season (so far) against local rival Suwon Bluewings 2 weeks ago. They have 2 wins in 5 games. Gwangju failed to make the top 6 after losing 3 and drawing 1 of their last 4 games. An interesting game on paper, which we see ending in a draw.
*Fun Fact: Gwangju have the leagues top goalscorer in their squad, Jung Jo-Gook has 16 goals so far this season.*
Prediction: 3 – 2
K League Classic 2016 Round 34 Results & Photos
Saturday October 15th:
Jeonbuk Hyundai 2-3 Jeju United
FC Seoul 2-0 Ulsan Hyundai
Pohang Steelers 2-2 Suwon Bluewings
Jeonbuk Hyundai and FC Seoul are now level on points with 4 games to play, only goal difference separates them. Also today was Jeju’s first ever win away over Jeonbuk and Jeonbuk’s 1st league defeat this season!
Sunday October 16th:
Sangju Sangmu 0-1 Jeonnam Dragons
Seongnam FC 0-0 Incheon United
Suwon FC 1-2 Gwangju
Jeonnam kept their slim champions league hopes alive, whilst Incheon gained a point over relegation rival Suwon FC who lost.
K League Challenge 2016 Round 41
The K League Challenge reaches the 41st (of 44) round landmark of the 2016 season this weekend, with sides only having either 3 or 4 games still to play this season. Also due to the fact Ansan Mungunghwa are ineligible for promotion the title and playoff races are wide open. This round includes a number of interesting game, however for us the standout game is the early Saturday afternoon game between 2nd placed (automatic promotion spot) Daegu and 6th placed Seoul E-Land. Seoul need the win to keep their slim playoff chances alive, whilst Daegu need the 3 points to take a step closer to promotion back to the K League Classic.
K League Challenge 2016 League Table Update
The league table is looking close even with only a few games still to play, Ansan Mugunghwa lead the way. Followed by Daegu, Gangwon and Bucheon 1995. Just behind them we have Busan I’Park who are currently in the final playoff place. Seoul E-Land and Daejeon Citizen still have slim chances of making the playoffs but can’t afford to lose. Gyeongnam, FC Anyang, Chungju Hummel and finally Goyang Zaicro will be looking towards the 2017 season at this point.
K League Challenge 2016 Round 41 Predictions
This round of games take place on Saturday (3) and Sunday (2). The games all take place in the afternoon, anywhere between 1pm-4pm. Here are our predictions for the 41st round of 2016 K League Challenge games;
Saturday October 15th 2016:
Gangwon vs. Daejeon Citizen (1pm)
Prediction: 1 – 1
Daegu vs. Seoul E-Land (2pm)
Prediction: 2 – 1
Chungju Hummel vs. Ansan Mugunghwa (3pm)
Prediction: 0 – 2
Bucheon 1995 vs. FC Anyang (4pm)
Prediction: 3 – 1
Sunday October 16th 2016:
Goyang Zaicro vs. Gyeongnam (2pm)
Prediction: 0 – 2
K League Challenge 2016 Round 41 Results
Saturday October 15th:
Gangwon 1-2 Daejeon Citizen
Daegu 0-1 Seoul E-Land
Chungju Hummel 8-1 Ansan Mugunghwa
Bucheon 1995 0-0 FC Anyang (HT)
Daejeon and Seoul keep their playoff dreams alive, as Chungju hammer league leaders Ansan Mugunghwa. Fortunately Ansan had no away fans make the trip.
Sunday October 16th:
Goyang Zaicro 2-3 Gyeongnam
Gyeongnam held on despite being 3 goals up at one point. They still have a mathematical chance of making the playoffs but it would it’s super unlikely.
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 