The K League Classic continues this coming Saturday afternoon with an extended card of matches due to the upcoming Asian Champions League Fixtures. Its been an interesting and even start to the season, but now we’re in April clubs will start to cement either championship hopes or relegation issues.
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 (April 9th) – Please Click Here +
K League Classic 2017 League Table Update
Of course following just 4 games the league table doesn’t reflect a probable final table, but it does make of nice viewing for a few sides. Jeju lead the way along with Jeonbuk level on 10 points. Pohang, Sangju and Seoul then all follow on 7 points. Ulsan complete the top half with 6 points. Gangwon down to Suwon Bluewings are all separated by a single point. Finally Jeonnam are bottom and still currently pointless.
K League Classic 2017 Previews & Predictions (Saturday April 8th – Round 5)
Moving onto the football, here are our brief previews and predictions for this Saturdays 4 games;
Gwangju vs. Ulsan Hyundai @ 3pm
Our first game of the day comes from the Guus Hiddink Stadium home of Gwangju, as they host Ulsan Hyundai. Gwangju have picked up 4 points from 4 games, including a win over Daegu and a draw on the road last weekend against leaders Jeju United. Ulsan Hyundai picked up their second win of the season last weekend, leaving it late to beat Gangwon at home. Last Time: They drew 1-1 at the end of last August.
Prediction: 1 – 2
Ulsan should have the edge, however with an eye on the upcoming ACL game they may field a weaken side.
FC Seoul vs. Jeju United @ 3pm
The second 3 o’clock kick off comes from the Seoul World Cup Stadium as FC Seoul host Jeju United. FC Seoul lost for the first time this season last weekend against rivals Jeonbuk 1-0. Prior to that defeat they’d gained 7 points. Jeju United are still undefeated this season, winning 3 and drawing 1 (last weekend vs. Gwangju). Last Time: FC Seoul won 2-0 at the end of October last year.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Evenly matched on paper and both preparing for upcoming ACL games, we see it ending in a draw.
Suwon Bluewings vs. Sangju Sangmu @ 3pm
The final 3 o’clock kick off on Saturday comes from the Suwon “Big Bird” World Cup Stadium as Suwon Bluewings host Army side Sangju Sangmu. Suwon have started to become draw specialists drawing 3 of their 4 games so far this season. Last weekend they let a 2 goal lead slip to draw against Incheon United. Sangju Sangmu have won twice away but drawn and lost at home so far this season. Which shows they’re maybe better on the road. Last Time: It ended 1-1.
Prediction: 0 – 1
Sangju could be slight favorites based on recent form, and because of Suwon’s upcoming ACL match.
Gangwon vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai @ 5pm
Our highlight game of the day comes from the Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium home of Gangwon, as they take on Asian Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai. Gangwon haven’t had a great return to the Classic, winning their opening game but only picking up a single point since then. Jeonbuk Hyundai on the other hand are joint top of the table with 3 wins and a draw from their opening 4 games. Including a win over FC Seoul last weekend. Last Time: Jeonbuk won 4-1 back in August 2013.
Prediction: 1 – 2
Jeonbuk will start as favorites, but we don’t see them winning be a large margin.
+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 Classic 2017 Results (Saturday April 8th – Round 5)
K League Classic 2017 Results – Saturday:
FC Seoul 0-0 Jeju United
Suwon Bluewings 0-0 Sangju Sangmu
Gwangju 1-1 Ulsan Hyundai
Gangwon 1-1 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Attendances;
Seoul World Cup 13,175
Suwon World Cup 5,193
Pyeongchang Alpensia 3,016
Gwangju Guus Hiddink 2,849
More Updates via Twitter
K League Challenge 2017 (Saturday April 8th – Round 6) Previews & Predictions
Saturday afternoon and evening also features three games in the K League Challenge. The standout game on Saturday is between Daejeon Citizen and Asan Mugunghwa.
+ For details on Sundays Action (April 9th) – Please Click Here +
K League Challenge 2017 League Table Update
The league table after just four games has Gyeongnam topping the table, followed by Busan I’Park, Suwon FC and Asan Mugunghwa who currently fill the playoff places. Bucheon 1995 and FC Anyang follow close behind. Ansan Greeners, Seoul E-Land and Daejeon Citizen are already a little off the pace. Finally we have Seongnam FC who still sit at the bottom.
K League Challenge 2017 Previews & Predictions (Saturday April 8th – Round 6)
Here are brief previews and predictions for this Saturday’s K League Challenge games;
Gyeongnam vs. FC Anyang @ 3pm
The first game in the Challenge this Saturday features league leaders Gyeongnam taking on an improving FC Anyang. Gyeongnam have won 3 and drawn 2 of their opening 5 games, including winning both of their previous home games. FC Anyang started the season slowly losing their opening 3 games, however they’ve put together back to back wins moving upto 7th.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Gyeongnam will start as favorites, however we see FC Anyang putting up more of a fight then during those early games.
Daejeon Citizen vs. Asan Mugunghwa @ 3pm
The highlight game of the day comes from the Daejeon World Cup Stadium, where Daejeon Citizen take on Asan Mugunghwa. Daejeon have had a poor start to the season with only one win from their opening 5, they’ve also lost their last 2. Asan Mugunghwa saw their 3 gaming running run come to an end last weekend as the hand of Busan I’Park.
Prediction: 2 – 2
We see this ending in an entertaining draw, with possible goals a plenty.
+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.
Seongnam FC vs. Bucheon 1995 @ 3pm
This Saturdays last game features bottom side Seongnam FC and 5th placed Bucheon 1995. Seongnam FC have only managed 2 draws from their opening 5 games, including a dire 0-0 draw last weekend against Seoul E-Land. Bucheon 1995 have 3 wins from 5, and were impress beating Ansan Greeners last weekend 4-2.
Prediction: 0 – 1
We’ve not seen any reason yet this season to side with Seongnam, but maybe this will be the turning point.
K League Challenge 2017 Results (Saturday April 8th – Round 6)
K League Challenge 2017 Results – Saturday:
Seongnam FC 1-2 Bucheon 1995
Daejeon Citizen 1-1 Asan Mugunghwa
Gyeongnam 2-1 FC Anyang
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 