UPDATE: The K League 2 season will begin on May 8th following a two month delay (more here). The season will feature a reduced number of games, and to start with all games will be played behind closed doors.
From the outset the K League 2 this year looks wide open with numerous sides gunning for a title bid. Last season Gwangju ran away with the league, and Busan I’Park finally won in the playoffs to confirm their long awaited return to the top tier. Jeju United & Gyeongnam were relegation down, whilst Daejeon Citizen have become Daejeon Hana Citizen and Asan Mugunghwa have become Chungnam Asan FC.
So here is my prediction and a brief preview for the 2020 K League 2 season (note this is my personal prediction);
For the K League 1 Preview Please CLICK HERE
K League 2 2019: Prediction & Preview
Starting at the top I feel that 2020 could be the start of something fresh and exciting over in Daejeon. The Hana Bank money has started to flow and I feel they’ll be the ones to beat this year. The playoff picture is pretty open, I see both Gyeongnam and Jeju Untied bouncing back this season and being in the mix. With Jeonnam Dragons hopefully continuing their fine form from the end of the 2019 season. Just outside the playoff spots I have FC Anyang and Suwon FC, two sides that are tricky to predict every season.
Moving to the bottom I really hope that Seoul E-Land bring in more fans this season, but on paper they’ll struggle both on and off the field. Bucheon 1995, Chungnam Asan and Ansan Greeners have lost big names and need to start strong if their hope to back into a tough playoff battle this coming season. I personally see these four sides lacking the cutting edge at this point, but I’ve been wrong so many times before.
Overall this on paper looks to be a interesting 2020 season down in the second tier with no one looking completely out of the running for a playoff spot come November. Attendances will be down at the start of the season due to national virus worries, but fingers crossed fans return during the summer to cheer their local sides on.
As mentioned before Daejeon Citizen have become Daejeon Hana Citizen and Asan Mugunghwa have become Chungnam Asan FC. Here are their new badges;
Finally these are the updated fixtures for the opening weekend of the 2020 K League 2 season.
Big game on the Saturday for Daejeon Hana Citizen as they travel to always dangerous Suwon FC. Seoul E-Land fly out to welcome Jeju (also on the opening Saturday). On Sunday Chungnam Asan debut against Bucheon 1995. Recently relegated Gyeongnam take on Jeonnam Dragons. Then the weekend finishes with the Line 4 derby between FC Anyang and Ansan Greeners.
Finally
Do you agree or disagree?
I will try my best to keep things updated throughout the 2019 K League via Twitter (and little via Facebook).
Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 