Preview: Daejeon Citizen vs Busan IPark

Daejeon Citizen vs Busan IPark

Hyundai Oilbank K League Challenge Round 23 Saturday 16th July 2016 Kick Off 7:00PM KST

Despite an upturn in form over the last couple of months, Daejeon have fallen away somewhat, and after losing their last two matches, find themselves in seventh place, nine points adrift from the playoff places.

How will Jean-Claude Bozga fair without his defensive partner Alvaro Silva? Credit: Jungdo Ilbo.

Clearly, then, with over half of the season played, it is going to take an almighty upturn in fortunes if Daejeon are to knock on the door of those much-coveted playoff places once again.

This week Citizen fans learned that two of their biggest stars were set to depart the club with Wanderson and Alvaro Silva's contracts up.

Due to a lack of funding, Daejeon were unable to offer a new deal for the influential Wanderson or indeed the ever reliable Silva.

Thus, it could be fair to say that the mood amongst many of the Purple Arena faithful has been higher, with many of those fearing what become of their beloved club.

However, it may be a crumb of comfort to the Citizen supporters that the side that followed them into the Challenge, Busan, aren't exactly enjoying a successful season thus far either.

Busan are a place and a point below Daejeon and are on a similar run of form.

If either side are to mount a playoff push then a win on Saturday evening could be considered a must.

Previous Meetings

Daejeon are unbeaten so far against Busan this term, having drawn 0-0 at home in May and winning 2-1 back in April, a win that got Daejeon off the mark having lost their previous four games.

Said 2-1 win was a repeat of the last time these two sides met as Classic sides when, again, Daejeon came out victorious.

In fact, Daejeon's home record against Busan has been solid with just one defeat against the Gyeongsanman-do outfit since 2012.

Team News

Daejeon, of course, will be without Wanderson and Alvaro Silva but Choi Moon-Sik has more or less a full squad at his disposal.

Kim Tae-Bong stepped up his recovery from injury by featuring in a reserve team game earlier in the week but isn't expected to be available for first team selection just yet.