UPDATE: The K League 1 season will begin on May 8th following a two month delay (more here). The season will be reduced to 27 games, and to start with all games will be played behind closed doors.
This K League 1 season seems like it will be once again who can challenge Jeonbuk Hyundai? With Ulsan Hyundai being their main competition on paper. The relegation however seems more open with no obvious gap between midtable sides and the bottom few from last season.
So here is my prediction and a brief preview for the 2020 K League 1 season (note this is my personal prediction);
For my K League 2 preview Please CLICK HERE
K League 1 2019: Prediction & Preview
Starting at the top I once again feel that Jeonbuk Hyundai are going to be the ones to beat this season and favorites for the title. Close behind them I think it will be Ulsan Hyundai. FC Seoul, Suwon Bluewings and Pohang Steelers could be in the mix in the top half battling for the title and the ACL spots. With maybe Daegu FC just making the top half this year.
Moving to the bottom I believe it could be a long hard season for Seongnam FC, and they might suffer relegation. Gwangju FC could also find life hard up in the top tier, especially as their new stadium has been delay until at least the Summer (maybe even next season). Just above the relegation zone could be Sangju Sangmu, Busan I’Park and Gangwon FC. With Incheon United the best of the bottom half sides this coming season.
Overall I feel that the relegation battle might be more interesting than the title race especially if Jeonbuk run away with another title. But it’s still early days and of course anything at this point could happen. 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.
Finally these are the fixtures for the opening weekend of the 2020 K League 1 season.
The K League Super Cup (of sorts) is the highlight game on the opening day of the 2020 season (Friday May 8th) with defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai hosting FA Cup winners Suwon Bluewings. On the Saturday the game between Incheon vs. Daegu maybe a dark horse for game of the weekend, plus we also have games between Ulsan Hyundai & Sangju Sangmu plus 2019 K League 2 champs host Seongnam FC. Finally on Sunday there is the local derby between Pohang & Busan, plus Gangwon host FC Seoul.
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 