Preview: K League 2 Round 8

Last week saw league leaders Bucheon 1995 suffer another defeat, and there looks to be little let up as they head to a high flying Ansan Greeners this weekend. Elsewhere Busan IPark will hope to also right their previous back-to-back losses with a visit from a struggling FC Anyang. In the middle of the table Gwangju FC and Suwon FC battle it out with both hoping to finally hit upon a goal-scoring formula. All this and more in your guide to Round Eight of the K League 2.
(image via KLeague.com)

Saturday 21st April

#BUSvANY: Busan IPark (5th) vs FC Anyang (10th) 14:00

Busan IPark come into this match on the back of two straight disappointing defeats that has seen them fall slightly away from the promotion-chasing pack. Busan are also having terrible form in front of goal, having only scored six times in all seven matches this season, not to mention being unable to find the back of the opposition's net in the previous two outings. Fortunately for the southern side, they welcome an FC Anyang outfit who are winless and firmly rooted to the foot of the table with just three points to their name and three goals, all from midfielder Jung Hee-woong. Time is ticking for Anyang if they wish to salvage anything from this season, but they could perhaps not have asked for a better time to play last year's playoff and FA Cup finalists. Given both sides lack of prowess in front of goal, expect this one to be won by a slim margin.

You can read our Tom Marcantonio's full match preview here.

#GWAvSUW: Gwangju FC (7th) vs Suwon FC (6th) 15:00

Gwangju FC followed up their first victory of the season with a hard fought goalless draw against fourth placed Ansan Greeners. In fact, goalless seems to be the key word when describing Gwangju, with the team having scored just twice all season, the lowest in the division. That said, they also boast the best defence in the league, having been breached three times in the seven games played so far. Suwon FC have also found goals to come by this season, scoring just four for the league campaign, which is somewhat surprising given the investment into the squad during the winter transfer window. To worsen matters, one of those investments, striker Matheus Alves, is suspended for this match having been booked twice in his side's 1-0 victory over Busan last week. Given both sides similar form in front of goal, it would seem fair to suggest this match may also end up goalless.

Predicted Score: Gwangju FC 0-0 Suwon FC (15:00)

#DCFCvSNG: Daejeon Citizen (8th) vs Seongnam FC (2nd) 15:00

Just as they thought they were turning a corner, Daejeon Citizen's short lived revival was abruptly halted with defeat to police side Asan Mugunghwa last time out, with the post match behaviour of chairman Kim Ho taking the majority of the headlines. Kim reportedly charged into the referee's room post-match, aggrieved at the decision to award Asan's second goal, and now awaits punishment from the governing bodies. Seongnam FC on the other hand enter this match as the last remaining side across the K Leagues 1 and 2 that are yet to be defeated, earning an impressive win over league leaders Bucheon 1995 the previous weekend. Given the contrasting forms of both sides, a confident Seongnam should make easy work of a Daejeon team still struggling to get going this season.

You can read our Paul Neat's full match preview here.

Sunday 22nd April

#ANSvBUC: Ansan Greeners (4th) vs Bucheon 1995 (1st) 15:00

Ansan Greeners look to be a far different proposition to the side that finished second from bottom last year, currently residing in fourth and having not tasted defeat since the opening day of the season. The visit of Bucheon 1995 could prove their toughest test of the campaign so far though, with the visitors having led the division almost from the outset and still holding on in first despite two losses in their last two outings. Ansan will draw encouragement from the fact that Bucheon's top scorer, Willian Popp, is suspended for this match though. This, in addition to Bucheon's recent losses, could perhaps afford Ansan their best opportunity to claim victory though, pulling open the title race in the process

You can read our Mike Brandon's full match preview here.

#ELANDvASA: Seoul E-Land (9th) vs Asan Mugunghwa (3rd) 17:00

It may have not been a match that lives long in the memory, but Seoul E-Land's 1-0 win over a struggling FC Anyang, courtesy of a calamitous own goal from goalkeeper Jeon Soo-hyeon, finally gave the hosts their first victory of 2018. Their celebrations may not last for long however, as third placed Asan Mugunghwa will look to bring the hosts back to reality with a bump. Having had a three match blip towards the end of March, a resounding 4-2 victory against leaders Bucheon followed by last week's win would indicate that the police side have returned to form, and they will be confident of continuing this in Jamsil on Sunday.

You can read our Michael Redmond's full match preview here.