The K League Classic continues this weekend following the FA Cup Semi-Finals during the week, with it’s third round following the league split. There are only 3 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 Sunday between 2nd placed FC Seoul and 3rd placed Jeju United. Seoul cannot afford to lose ground on Jeonbuk, whilst Jeju could confirm their champions league place with a win.
In the relegation round the Sunday game stands out. It’s the 4th #SuwonDerby of the season and this one is a real relegation 6 pointer. Incheon v Pohang stands out on Saturday.
K League Classic 2016 League Table Update
Due to Jeonbuk’s point reduction they are now level on points with FC Seoul, only goal difference separates them. Jeju United are 6 points between them and currently occupy the final champions league spot. Ulsan, Jeonnam and Sangju, only Ulsan have slim chances of making the top 3 positions.
Looking at the bottom of the table, Suwon FC are 3 points behind Incheon United, who are 2 points behind Suwon Bluewings. a single point ahead of them we have Pohang and Seongnam who aren’t safe from danger yet. Gwangju lead the relegation round and will feel safest.
K League Classic 2016 Round 36 Previews & Predictions
This round of games take place on Saturday (3) and Sunday (3). 5 of the games take place at the Traditional English Football time of 3pm, whilst the Suwon Derby is at 4pm. Here are our brief previews and predictions for the 36th round of 2016 K League Classic games;
Saturday October 29th 2016:
Jeonnam Dragons vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai (3pm) – Championship Round
The first game of the weekend comes from the Suncheon Palma Stadium, as Jeonnam host Jeonbuk. Jeonnam are playing for pride at this stage of the season, and have 1 win in 3. Jeonbuk Hyundai need to find some form following 2 draws and a defeat. We see Jeonbuk edging this one.
Prediction: 1 – 2
Incheon United vs. Pohang Steelers (3pm) – Relegation Round
Undefeated in 7 games Incheon United continue in their quest to avoid relegation. Pohang Steelers have only 2 wins in 8 games and lost last weekend to bottom side Suwon FC. Incheon will be favorites here and could drag Pohang further into the relegation dogfight.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Gwangju vs. Seongnam FC (3pm) – Relegation Round
A clash here between to sides lacking form. Gwangju have only 1 win in 6 games and were easily beaten last weekend. Seongnam FC are fairing even worse with only 1 win in 10 games. A draw seems the most likely outcome, as neither side can afford to lose.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Sunday October 30th 2016:
Sangju Sangmu vs. Ulsan Hyundai (3pm) – Championship Round
Sangju Sangmu are searching for their first win in 9 games, but fortunately they’re in the top half and therefore don’t have to worry about relegation. Ulsan Hyundai crashed out of the FA Cup during the week, and need to win all of their remaining game to stand a chance of making next seasons Champions League. We see this ending in a draw.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Jeju United vs. FC Seoul (3pm) – Championship Round
This is a big game at the top of the table with Jeju United looking for a 5th win in 5 games. However FC Seoul are undefeated in 9 games and reached the final of the FA Cup during the week. Despite Seoul’s form we see Jeju winning as Seoul will be tired following so many games recently.
Prediction: 2 – 0
Suwon FC vs. Suwon Bluewings (4pm) – Relegation Round
The final of the weekend is the 4th Suwon Derby of the year. Bluewings currently have a 2-1 lead over FC. The previous derby finish 5-4 to Suwon FC and it was the game of the season so far. Form wise they are pretty even, and both need a win here. However we see Bluewings edging it, Johnathan will most likely be on the score-sheet.
Prediction: 2 – 3
K League Classic 2016 Round 35 Results & Photos
Saturday October 29th:
Jeonnam Dragons 0-5 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Incheon United 3-2 Pohang Steelers
Gwangju 0-0 Seongnam FC
In the championship round Jeonbuk Hyundai hammered Jeonnam to improve there goal difference.
At the bottom Incheon United won in dramatic fashion with Kwon Wan-Kyu scoring in the 95th minute. With Gwangju and Seongnam FC drawing the bottom of the table is super close.
Sunday October 30th:
Jeju United 0 – 2 FC Seoul
Sangju Sangmu 1 – 2 Ulsan Hyundai
Suwon FC 2 – 3 Suwon Bluewings
The title race to still super even following FC Seoul’s win, and Ulsan are still just about in the hunt for a champions league spot.
In the Suwon derby Suwon Bluewings took a vital win and jumped up 3 spots in the table. Suwon FC look basically relegated now.
K League Challenge 2016 Round 44
CLICK HERE for details on the final round of the K League Challenge season.
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 