Jeolla Derby Preview: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Jeonnam Dragons

After three difficult away matches in which they came out with full marks, first placed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors return to Jeonju to find their regional rivals Jeonnam Dragons awaiting them in the first Jeolla Derby of the season. Can the struggling visitors ignore the contrasting form tables and cause an upset in North Jeolla territory?
(image via Hyundai-MotorsFC.com)

Last Time Out

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors finally return to Jeonju Castle after three difficult away fixtures in which they came through unscathed, collecting maximum points and conceding zero goals in the process. Their last test saw them travel to Changwon Football Center to take on then current leaders Gyeongnam FC in a match that also pitted the champions from both divisions last season against one another. Despite Gyeongnam's sensational start to their league campaign, their attack minded 4-4-2 formation played into Jeonbuk's hands as they picked them off at will on the counter, utilitsing the incredible pace of both Tiago and Lopes, who both scored and assisted one each, with the receiver of their passes Kim Shin-wook twice benefitting from their play.

To watch highlights of Jeonbuk's 4-0 victory over Gyeongnam, click here.

Jeonbuk's Jeolla neighbours, Jeonnam Dragons were far less fortuitous in their midweek match, losing 3-0 at home to a struggling Jeju United side, losing yet another player to a red card in the process. A first half goal courtesy of Jeju's Tiago Marques and some sloppy defending gave The Islanders a welcome lead in the first half, despite play having been relatively even up until the interval. Ten minutes into the second half, Wanderson Carvalho was shown a straight red for an elbow, after which it was a relatively straight forward affair for the away side as they exploited their man advantage. Lee Chang-min doubled Jeju's lead with some nice footwork in the box after receiving a corner, before Kim Hyeon-wook sealed the game with his team's third goal ten minutes from time.

To watch highlights of Jeonnam's 3-0 defeat to Jeju, click here.

Previous Meetings

Despite often placed at polar opposites of the table, this match is not always as much as a foregone conclusion as many would assume. Whilst Jeonbuk unsurprisingly lead the victory charts 19-12 over the history of the Jeolla Derby, almost a third of these fixtures have resulted in draws, and some entertaining ones at that. In recent years, the two 2-2 draws in the 2015 and 2016 campaigns saw each side both come back from two goals down to secure a share of the spoils, whereas last year's season opener saw the Dragons look as if they had claimed a hard fought equaliser, before Jeonbuk's Kim Shin-wook scored from range with the last kick of the game. That said, spirited performances aside, Jeonnam Dragons last won the regional bragging rights nearly three years ago, with a 2-1 performance in Gwangyang. They last won in Jeonju in March 2011.

Team News

Jeonbuk come into this game with a number of serious injuries to first team personnel, yet have been surviving well enough without them in recent matches. Left back Kim Jin-su is still 4-5 weeks away from recovery after medial ligament damage whilst on international duty. Centre-back Hong Jeong-ho will be out for a similar length of time after damaging his hamstring in the game against Pohang Steelers last Sunday. Han Kyo-won is out with the most severe injury however, with the right winger not set to return for approximately three months after damaging his collarbone in the game against Sangju Sangmu. There are no players suspended for Jeonbuk, although Son Jun-ho is currently one yellow card away from a league match suspension so will have to be wary in the tackle.

Jeonnam Dragons' main concerns are the two players serving suspension after collecting red cards in each of their last two games. Midfileder Han Chan-hee and defender Wanderson Carvalho are set to be unavailable due to the disciplinary action taken against them.

The Adversary

Our Jeonnam Dragon columnist Aodan Halligan gives his view on the state of the away side coming into this derby:

"The Jeonnam Dragons head to Jeonju this weekend in low spirts after another heavy home defeat against Jeju United midweek. It remains to be seen what impact the latest setback will have on the Dragons’ self-confidence and playoff aspirations as they are now winless in five games and have slipped to second from bottom in K-League 1."

"Another area of concern for head coach Yoo Sang-chul will be the Dragons’ propensity to self-destruct – Wanderson being the latest player to lose the plot. The Brazilian was sent for an early shower for an elbow on Jeju United midfielder Kim Su-beom in the 56th minute with the game still in the balance and will now miss the match against Jeonbuk FC this weekend through suspension."

"Wanderson’s sending off means the Dragons were reduced to ten men for the second successive game (midfielder Han Chan-hee saw red against Incheon). Clearly, the Dragons need to sort out their disciplinary issues as soon as possible if they hope to avoid another relegation battle. Of course, they also need to work on their defence."

"Having shipped 13 goals in six games (an average of 2.1 per game), the Dragons boast the worst defensive record in the league and despite Yoo’s personnel changes and tactical tweaks this season, they’re still far too porous at the back. Indeed, some of Jeju’s goals the other night highlighted the issues Yoo needs to sort out – a simple through ball exposing the high defensive line for the first and a short corner providing acres of time and space for ex Dragon Lee Chang-min in the box for the second. Jeonnam don’t have enough pace at the back to operate such an advanced defensive line and also need to ‘switch on’ for set plays and mark a lot tighter in the box."

"But it’s not all doom and gloom for Jeonnam. They ran Jeonbuk pretty close a couple of times last season and also boast an unbeaten away record for 2018. Plus, the Dragons defence has been better on the road and they’ve only conceded four goals on their travels (1.33 per game). So perhaps they can frustrate Jeonbuk, but they’ll also need to be a lot more efficient at the other end and that’s a lot easier said than done with Wanderson missing."

"Hopefully Ha Tae-goon can start adding some goals to his game as the six-foot-two striker impressed after coming off the bench against Jeju and if the likes of captain Kim Young-uk can feed him with adequate supply, and the defence have a stormer, the Dragons could make the short journey back home with their unbeaten away record intact."
-Aodan Halligan

Prediction

Jeonnam Dragons had been struggling in recent matches before even adding their disciplinary woes into the mix. A trip to the reigning K League champions is certainly not convenient at this time and they do run the risk of humiliation given Jeonbuk's recent scoring exploits. The visitors do boast a strong away record that should put them in good stead however, but not many come away with points from North Jeolla. Given the form Jeonbuk are in also, a home win seems the most probable.

Predicted Score: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-0 Jeonnam Dragons