Preview: K League Classic Round 15

The K League Classic returned at the weekend with round 14 following a near-three week break. But, with barely as much as a moment to draw breath, Wednesday night sees all 12 Classic sides back in action again as the season reaches round 15. Last time out, Ulsan Hyundai sealed a 2-1 win over Pohang Steelers in the East Sea Derby, thanks to an injury time goal from Kim Seungjun (pictured above), meaning that the Horang-i sit proudly in second place. Can Kim Dohoon's men keep up the pressure on league-leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors? Can Jeonbuk make it six games unbeaten when they face in-form Gangwon FC? Likewise, can FC Seoul build on their Super Match win over Suwon Bluewings at home to Daegu FC? All this and more in your K League Classic round 15 guide.

Image from Soongsil University via UHFC.tv




Gwangju FC (11th) Vs Suwon Bluewings (7th)

Suwon Bluewings slipped into the bottom half of the table following the Super Match defeat to FC Seoul on Sunday and so will be looking to put that result behind them when they face struggling Gwangju FC. The South Jeolla Province-based side are second-bottom having found goals hard to come by in 2017. Saturday's relegation six-pointer with Daegu FC ended in a draw, and with Incheon also drawing with Sangju, it means that Gwangju are still only a point away from getting their heads above water. Gwangju have only lost at home once this term, but Wednesday's opponents Suwon Bluewings have lost on the road just once, their last away trip against Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Prediction: Gwangju FC 0-2 Suwon Bluewings

Sangju Sangmu (8th) Vs Jeonnam Dragons (9th)

Sangju came back from the dead to salvage a draw against basement side Incheon United on Sunday, netting a 95th-minute equaliser to ensure of a much more pleasurable trip back to North Gyeongsang Province. Wednesday sees the army team host Jeonnam Dragons, a side who have seen their upturn in form peter out somewhat. The Dragons went from five wins in six to two consecutive league defeats in the midst of on a run of just one league victory in their last four. On the road, Roh Sangrae's Dragons side have struggled in 2017, winning just the once - a 3-1 win over Incheon in mid-April.

Prediction: Sangju Sangmu 1-1 Jeonnam Dragons

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) Vs Gangwon FC (3rd)

Fresh from their 2-1 win over title contenders Jeju United, the rejuvenated Gangwon FC head to Jeonju to take on league-leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai. Jeonbuk are unbeaten in their last five and welcome Gangwon on the back of two straight wins. Such form as seen the current Asian Champions League Champions sit atop of the Classic table by three points. Gangwon, meanwhile, seem to have finally begun to gel as a team, having won their last five league games. For the Green Warriors, a win over the very much in-form Gangwon would show that Choi Kanghee's side are every bit dominant side that they were in the earlier stages of 2016. As for Gangwon, a win could see them hot on the heels of the Asian Champions League places.

Our columnist Matthew Binns previews this one here.

FC Seoul (6th) Vs Daegu FC (10th)

FC Seoul follow up their Super Match victory over Suwon Bluewings with a home fixture with struggling Daegu FC. The last time these two sides met, at the end of April, newly-promoted Daegu pulled off an upset by displacing the current K League Champions 2-1 at Daegu Stadium. For that, and to truly get their season back on track, Hwang Sunghong's men will be looking to put Daegu to task at Sangam come Wednesday night.

Our columnist Ryan Walters previews this one here.

Ulsan Hyundai (2nd) Vs Jeju United (4th)

Ulsan's run of seven league games unbeaten, which includes five victories, has seen them rocket themselves up into second place in the K League Classic. Wednesday night's opponents Jeju United were sitting in second place but have since dropped to fourth as a result of their away defeat to Gangwon FC at the weekend. Jeju have now lost three on the bounce in all competitions and so will be keen to get back to winning ways and get their title push back on track. Jeju comfortably dispatched Ulsan in the previous fixture this season, recording a 3-0 win in Seogwipo, and have the better head-to-head record with 15 wins from 37 meetings, but only four of those at the Munsu.

Prediction: Ulsan Hyundai 2-2 Jeju United

Incheon United (12th) Vs Pohang Steelers (5th)

Incheon United were seconds away from picking up their second win of the campaign during their last outing when the Neroazzurre headed into time added on against Sangju Sangmu leading by one goal to nil. Connor Chapman's brilliant header in the 77th minute appeared to be enough to seal all three points for United but a late, late Kim Byungoh goal broke Incheon hearts in the 95th minute. Incheon now face a stern test at home to Pohang Steelers, Pohang, however, have lost their last two.

Prediction: Incheon United 0-2 Pohang Steelers