Preview: Incheon United vs. Jeonnam Dragons

Incheon United and Jeonnam Dragons are both currently sitting in the middle of the K League 1 Table, but who will have the edge on Saturday Afternoon?
(image via iufc press)

Last Time Out

November 5th 2017 
Jeonnam Dragons 2 - 2 Incheon United

Towards the end of last season Jeonnam and Incheon clashed in an exciting game in which both sides took the lead but ended up drawing. The game saw Incheon end the game with only 9 men and a only goal of Enzo's short Incheon career. The teams on the day were evenly matched, but both could have taken home the three points.

Previous Meetings

Over the years Incheon and Jeonnam Dragons have played each other 43 times with the record looking like this:

Incheon 11
Draws 19
Jeonnam 13

Last season Jeonnam won 2 of the 4 games, with the other 2 ending in draws. Overall the record is very even with more draws than anything. Incheon last beat Jeonnam at home in the league back in 2012.

Who To Watch

After 4 games the Incheon and Jeonnam sides have settled and the key played have emerged.
For Incheon; Montenegrin striker Stefan Mugoša has 2 in 2 so far, but missed the last two games due to suspension. His return will give Incheon a target man forward, something they've missed in their previous couple of games.
Secondly super sub Song Si-Woo scored an excellent equalizer last weekend in the Gyeongin Derby, and could do the same again this coming Saturday.

In my opinion Jeonnam have had a couple of standout players so far this season. Firstly Choi Jae-Hyun has moved into being a regular first team fixture and is also at the moment the teams top scorer.
Secondly former Gwangju forward Wanderson on paper should be a key forward in the Jeonnam team, and fingers crossed for them that they use him more.

The Adversary (via Aodan Halligan)

The Jeonnam Dragons seek to preserve their unbeaten away record in 2018 when they make the long trip up to Incheon this weekend. The Dragons, who drew 1-1 away to Daegu last Saturday, have taken four points from a possible six on the road and thus will be confident of returning with something to show for their troubles. Indeed, many Dragons’ fans have fond memories of their maiden trip to Incheon in April last year as it resulted in their first points and first victory of the season after a miserable five-game losing streak.

And the Dragons should be close to full strength for the first time this season as Australian central defender Tomislav Mrcela’s back in training and his central defensive partner Ka Sol-hyeon will also be available after serving the last of his two-game suspension last weekend.

Meanwhile, club captain Kim Young-uk played his first full 90 minutes of the season in midfield against Daegu and should start once again, while Jang Dae-hee’s also expected to keep his position in between the posts so Lee Ho-seung  will be on the bench yet again. The biggest selection headache this week will probably be up top once more because Ha Tae-goon led the line well last week and was unlucky to see his goal disallowed, yet Brazilian striker Macedo also impressed when he was brought on.

Will Jeonnam’s head coach Yoo Sang-chul be brave enough to go with both?

Prediction

But sides have had inconsistent starts to their seasons. So Saturday could go either way, but Incheon are generally stronger at home. So I personally see Incheon edging the game, maybe scoring late in either half. Jeonnam should at least get on the scoresheet.

Incheon United 2 - 1 Jeonnam Dragons