The opening round of the season is now over and the nerves have hopefully gone. Moving onto the second round of the season and Super Saturday of 6 games (4 Classic + 2 Challenge). All 4 of the teams involved in the Champions League are involved so it should be a quality afternoon.
A quick reminder that this season we’re going to the covering each match day separately (the last few seasons it’s been each round). Making the posts a little shorter and focused on a day. Video Highlights, Goal Updates and more via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
+ For details on Sundays Action (March 12th) – Please Click Here +
K League Classic 2017 League Table Update
Of course following just a single game the league table doesn’t reflect a probable final table, but it does make of nice viewing for a few sides. Gangwon, Jeonbuk, Ulsan, Gwangju and Jeju lead the way all winning their opening games. FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings make up the mid-table. Whilst Jeonnam, Pohang, Sangju, Daegu and finally Incheon comprise the bottom 5.
K League Classic 2017 Previews & Predictions (Saturday March 4th – Round 1)
Moving onto the football, here are our brief previews and predictions for this Saturdays 4 games;
Daegu vs. Incheon United @ 2pm
The early game of the day comes from Daegu, Daegu’s first home Classic game since 2013. They lost last weekend in a dull game v Gwangju. Incheon United also lost last weekend at home to Jeju. Last Time: Incheon won 2-1 back in July 2013.
Prediction: 0 – 0
Neither side looked 100% ready for the new season last weekend and sadly this could be another dull draw. Fingers crossed we’re wrong.
Suwon Bluewings vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai @ 3pm
Our highlight game of the day comes from the Suwon World Cup Stadium (Big Bird). Suwon Bluewings drew last weekend in the super match 1-1, they’ve also drawn twice in the ACL so far this season. Jeonbuk Hyundai won the Jeolla Derby last Sunday, thanks to a last minute Kim Shin-Wook winner. Last Time: 1-1 in September, overall Jeonbuk have won more.
Prediction: 2 – 1
A very close game on paper, but we see Suwon at home having the slight edge.
+Game of Day+ This is our highlight game of the day and therefore we’ll be covering it in extra detail via our Twitter Page.
Jeju United vs. Ulsan Hyundai @ 3pm
An all Champions League competitors clash between Jeju and Ulsan. Jeju United won their opening game of the season on the road against Incheon. Ulsan also won beating Pohang Steelers in a South East coast derby. Last Time: 0-0 last November, overall Jeju have the slight edge historically.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Having watched both of these sides play a few game already this game, Jeju United certainly look the most consistent. However they might rest players with ACL games taking place next week.
Gangwon vs. FC Seoul @ 3pm
The first game of the season from the Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium home of Gangwon FC. Gangwon won their opening game of the season beating Sangju Sangmu 2-1, Lee Keun-Ho scored both goals. FC Seoul drew their opening game 1-1 in the Super Match against Suwon Bluewings. Head-to-head gives Seoul a 9W 1L advantage, last time: FC Seoul won 0-1 back in July 2013.
Prediction: 0 – 2
Seoul will be heavy favorites, but Gangwon proved last weekend they can defy the odds.
K League Classic 2017 Results (Saturday March 4th – Round 1)
K League Classic 2017 Results – Saturday:
Daegu 2-2 Incheon United
Suwon Bluewings 0-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Jeju United 3-0 Ulsan Hyundai
Gangwon 0-1 FC Seoul
Incheon comeback from 2 goals down, Jeonbuk control Suwon, Jeju hammer Ulsan and Seoul edge Gangwon. 3/4 result predictions but no perfect scores.
More Updates via Twitter
K League Challenge 2017 (Saturday March 4th – Round 1) Previews & Predictions
Saturday afternoon also features a couple of games in the K League Challenge. Firstly Busan I’Park hosting Ansan Greeners and then Asan Mugunghwa hosting FC Anyang.
+ For details on Sundays Action (March 12th) – Please Click Here +
K League Challenge 2017 League Table Update
The league table after just a single game as Ansan Greeners leading the way, level on points with Bucheon, Suwon FC, Busan I’Park and Gyeongnam. 5 sides are pointless after last weekend FC Anyang, Daejeon Citizen, Seoul E-Land, Asan Mugunghwa and finally Seongnam FC. This could easily flipped around after this weekends round of games.
2017 Structure Update: This season the number of teams has dropped down to an even 10 sides. Just like in previous seasons teams will play each other 4 times with the winner gaining automatic promotion to the K League Classic. The next 3 sides enter the Promotion playoffs, and finally once again there is no relegation down to the National League.
K League Challenge 2017 Previews & Predictions (Saturday March 11th – Round 2)
Here are brief previews and predictions for this Saturday’s K League Challenge games;
Busan I’Park vs. Ansan Greeners @ 3pm
The first game in the Challenge this Saturday afternoon comes from the Busan Gudeok Stadium. Hosts Busan I’Park won their opening game a slight upset against recently relegated Seongnam. Newly formed Ansan Greeners also won last weekend in their first ever K League game, beating Daejeon Citizen.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Busan looked solid last weekend and at home should have the edge. However Ansan are still a little unknown, so it maybe close.
Asan Mugunghwa vs. FC Anyang @ 5pm
This Saturdays late game features the the Korean Police under their new name Asan Mugunghwa, hosting their first ever game. Also the first ever game in the city of Asan (Yisunsin Stadium). They lost their opening match 1-0 against Gyeongnam. FC Anyang also lost on the opening weekend, conceding in the dying moments against Suwon FC.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Judging on their opening weekend performances these sides will be evenly matched and therefore a draw seems like the likely outcome.
+Game of Day+ This is our highlight game of the day and therefore we’ll be covering it in extra detail via our Twitter Page.
K League Challenge 2017 Results (Saturday March 11th – Round 2)
K League Challenge 2017 Results – Saturday:
Busan I’Park 3-1 Ansan Greeners
Asan Mugunghwa v FC Anyang
Busan continue to look like the early front runners.
More Updates via Twitter
Finally
For information on the all of our previous K League and AFC Champions League posts: 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 