Preview: K League 2 Round 18

K League 2 of course resumed last weekend following the break and continued with its trend of offering up unpredictability and drama. The result of which is that only five points separate third to seventh and the top two are just a point apart. This week league leaders Seongnam will be looking to preserve their place at the summit when they host a struggling Seoul E-Land. Elsewhere, Busan IPark travel to Gwangju hoping that a victory is enough to put themselves right in the title picture and Daejeon Citizen entertain Suwon FC. All that and much more in your comprehensive guide to K League 2 Round 18.
(image via K League)

Saturday 7th July

#SFCvELand: Seongnam FC (1st) Vs Seoul E-Land (9th)

Two teams who are closely located to each other but have rather contrasting fortunes are Seongnam and Seoul E-Land. The two will meet this Saturday evening at Tancheon in a game where the Magpies will be the heavy favourites. Nam Ki-il's side ended their run of three games without a win by defeating Bucheon 1995 away for their first game back after the break. Seoul E-Land, meanwhile, lost twice in the space five days, first a 1-0 home defeat to Suwon FC after some calamitous defending allowed Baek Sung-dong to score his first goal of the season, then a 3-0 away defeat to Gwangju. E-Land are now just one win in five with four losses and are in danger of being dropping to the foot of the table with just two points now separating the Leopards with FC Anyang. New signings Ivan Herceg and Ignacio Herrera were both substitutes for the midweek defeat to Gwangju but may be called upon.

Seoul E-Land columnist Michael Redmond previews the game: here

#ANSvASA: Ansan Greeners (6th) Vs Asan Mugunghwa (2nd)

Both Ansan Greeners and Asan Mugunghwa will head into Saturday's fixture at the Wa Stadium with their eyes firmly looking up. Ansan are just three points away from the playoffs whilst Asan are just one point behind league leaders Seongnam. The Greeners' early season form has yet to be recaptured and welcome on the back of just one win in five. Asan, meanwhile, have lost a handful of important players due to the completion of their military conscription, most notably their top scorer Han Euikwon and captain Lee Changyong. Asan are unbeaten in their last five with three wins and two draws and haven't lost away from home since the beginning of April and so will be the favourites.

Ansan Greeners Columnist Mike Brandon previews the game: here

Sunday 8th July

#BUCvANY: Bucheon 1995 (3th) Vs FC Anyang (10th)

FC Anyang will head into Sunday's trip to Bucheon full of confidence having won their last two. The Violets picked up two 1-0 wins, one prior to the World Cup break, one after to ensure that Ko Jeongwoon's side are within just two points of Seoul E-Land in ninth place. Anyang have just one defeat in six now but are yet to pick up a win on the road yet this season. In fact, Anyang haven't won away from home since September 2017, a 3-2 win over Seoul E-Land. Bucheon 1995 are still clinging onto a place in the playoffs despite having just one win in seven and have lost the last two, home defeats to Daejeon and Seongnam. A win for Jung Gabsuk's side could see Bucheon put further daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. An Anyang victory, meanwhile, could see the Violets move off the foot of the table should they better E-Land's result.

Prediction: Bucheon 1995 2-1 FC Anyang

Monday 9th July

#DCFCvSUW: Daejeon Citizen (7th) Vs Suwon FC (8th)

Gwangju's win over Seoul E-Land on Wednesday meant that Citizen dropped to seventh in the table and could be in danger of dropping to eight should the Purples suffer defeat to Suwon FC this Monday night. Daejeon have never lost to Suwon FC at home, winning all five encounters and can also boast of a 2-1 away win over Kim Daeui's side this season. Suwon head to Purple Arena having won their last two and will see said wins as a real boost to their playoff hopes. However, if Suwon are to pick up a vital away win they will have to do so without Adrian Leijer. The Australian centre half was taken off injured during the win over Seoul E-Land last week and will be a big miss.

Daejeon Citizen Columnist Paul Neat previews the game: here

#GWAvBUS: Gwangju FC (5th) Vs Busan IPark (4th)

Gwangju put themselves right back in the playoff mix with their comprehensive 3-0 win over Seoul E-Land in midweek and will host Busan IPark on Monday knowing that three points could see them jump into third should results go their way. The South Jeolla outfit have slowly gone about their business this term, steadily easing their way up the table following a run of just one defeat in five. Busan IPark make the trip west sitting in fourth place but, three points above Gwangju and level on points with Bucheon in third. Busan may hand debuts to recent acquisitions Arsenio Valpoort and Sherijl MacDonald who both signed from Dutch Jupiler League side Almere City. IPark are unbeaten in eight with four wins and four draws and will fancy themselves against Gwangju.

Busan IPark Columnist Tom Marcantonio previews the game: here


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