This week sees the final round of games in the Asian Champions League Group Stages. Tuesday evening features the only K League sides who can still progress to the knockout round. Suwon Bluewings travel to China to take on Gunagzhou, whilst Jeju United host J-League side Gamba Osaka.
+ Details of Wednesday Evenings Games CLICK HERE +
AFC Champions League 2017 Group Tables Update
Guangzhou Evergrande top the group with 9 points from 5 games, Suwon Bluewings a place and a point behind them. Kawasaki Frontale are in 3rd on 7 points and finally Eastern SC are already out of the competition.
If Eastern beat Kawasaki both Guangzhou and Suwon Bluewings will progress. If Kawasaki win they’ll progress or if they draw and Suwon lose. If Suwon win they will progress or Guangzhou will progress if they win or draw.
Jiangsu Suning lead the way and have already qualified. Gamba Osaka are currently bottom but could progress if they comfortably beat Jeju. Adelaide require a win and hope that Jeju don’t win. Jeju need a win or only a draw if Adelaide fail to win.
AFC Champions League Previews and Predictions (Tuesday April 25th 2017)
Here are our brief previews for Tuesday evenings AFC Champions League games featuring K League sides as well as head-to-head (H2H) records and predictions;
Guangzhou Evergrande vs. Suwon Bluewings @ 7.30pm
The first game of the evening comes from China, as big spending Guangzhou Evergrande host Suwon Bluewings. Guangzhou are unbeaten in the competition so far and sit at the top of the group. However the Chinese Super League leaders haven’t qualified yet. 6th placed K League Classic side Suwon have had a solid group stage campaign drawing twice and winning twice (but against Eastern SC), but lost a couple of weeks ago to Kawasaki. They looked slow at the weekend, but that was maybe to save energy for this game.
Head-to-Head / H2H:
They’ve played twice before, once in a friendly which Suwon won 2-0. And in the previous group stage game which ended 2-2.
Prediction:
1 – 1
A draw will be enough for Guangzhou and if they score early they’ll shut up shop. Sadly a draw might not be enough for Suwon, unless Eastern SC spring a surprise in their game.
Jeju United vs. Gamba Osaka @7pm
The second game comes from Jeju Island, as Jeju United host Gamba Osaka. K League leaders Jeju have had a solid return to Champions League football winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 2. However their home form has been an issue losing both previous group games. Gamba Osaka only have 4 points from 5 games and haven’t looked confident so far during the competition. They are however 3rd in the J-League and won’t just roll over.
Head-to-Head / H2H:
They played each other three times over the years all in the champions leagues. Jeju winning twice and Gamba once.
Prediction:
2 – 1
We see Jeju winning this game if they are able to bring in their recent K League form.
AFC Champions League Results & Highlights
Guangzhou Evergrande 2-2 Suwon Bluewings
A back and forth game in China resulted in a draw and meant Guangzhou progressed and Suwon crashed out.
Jeju United 2-0 Gamba Osaka
Jeju United won on a rainy evening to progress to the final 16 for the first time.
Highlights:
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 