Preview: K League 2 Round 21

Whilst Seongnam FC and Asan Mugunghwa battle it out for the only automatic promotion slot, the three playoff berths could be occupied by any of the remaining eight teams in K League 2. Bucheon 1995, who occupy the last playoff spot, will be hoping for a turn in fortunes when they take on Asan on Monday. Elsewhere, sixth take on seventh when Ansan Greeners host Suwon FC whilst a Daejeon Citizen side will be looking for their first win in five away to Seoul E-Land to keep the Purples off the foot of the table.
(image via K League)

Saturday 28th July

#GWAvSCFC: Gwangju FC (5th) Vs Seongnam FC (1st) 19:00

Gwangju's recent upturn in form has seen the South Jeolla outfit eek their way up the table and are now just a point outside the playoff places heading into the weekend's fixtures. Unbeaten in five with two wins and three draws means that Gwangju will perhaps fancy themselves for the visit of league leaders Seongnam. The Magpies cling onto first place by a single point and make the long trip south on the wrong end of an FA Cup giant killing, losing to National League side Gyeongju KHNP at home. Former Gwangju gaffer Nam Ki-il will be looking for a reaction from his players but anything less than a win may see the Magpies drop into second. Gwangju's last home defeat was to Seongnam, a 3-1 reverse in mid-May and, despite the FA Cup agony, will be hot favourites for this one. However, Gwangju do have K2 top scorer Na Sangho in their midst; the 21 year-old now has 10 for the campaign.

Prediction: Gwangju FC 1-2 Seongnam FC

#ELANDvDCFC: Seoul E-Land (10th) Vs Daejeon Citizen (8th) 19:00

Two sides that are in desperate need of a win this weekend are Seoul E-Land and Daejeon Citizen. Daejeon's mid-season mini purple patch seems like a distant memory now for the Citizen faithful and Ko Jongsoo's side are in danger of dropping to the foot of the table with a defeat. E-Land, meanwhile, prop up the K2 but are just two points behind both Daejeon and FC Anyang meaning that a win could propel In Changsoo's men into tenth. Both teams have just one win in five and are in danger of being cut adrift of the playoff-chasing pack unless they start to turn things around. Since E-Land's inception in 2015, these two teams have met on nine occasions, both teams enjoying three wins each with the remaining games ending in stalemate.

Full preview: here

Sunday 29th July

#BUSvANY: Busan IPark (3rd) Vs FC Anyang (9th) 19:00

Last year's FA Cup finalists Busan IPark head into Sunday's home clash with FC Anyang having survived an FA Cup scare in midweek. The south coast side found themselves trailing to Gyeongju Citizen of the fourth tier and needed extra time to book their place in the next round. Up next is the visit of FC Anyang, a side that have lost just twice in their last eight league games - a run of form that has lifted the Violets off the foot of the table. However, whereas Busan were able to avoid defeat to lower league opposition on Wednesday, a much-changed Anyang side lost to National League side Mokpo City and so will be desperate to bounce back. However, Anyang have only beaten Busan once before, a 1-0 win June 2016 - Jung Jaehee with the only goal of the game on 20 minutes at Anyang Civic Stadium.

Full preview: here

Monday 30th July

#ANSvSUW: Ansan Greeners (6th) Vs Suwon FC (7th) 19:30

Sixth versus seventh go head to head on Monday night when a very much out-of-form Ansan Greeners host fellow playoff hopefuls Suwon FC. Both teams suffered 1-0 FA Cup defeats in midweek, Ansan to police side Asan Mugunghwa whilst Suwon went out to K1 giants Ulsan Hyundai. In the league Ansan and Suwon have been on contrasting trajectories of late with the Greeners now on a dismal run of five straight defeats, undoing their bright early season form. Suwon, meanwhile, are starting to show signs of life once again having lost just once in five and can boast of a three game winning streak and a draw heading into Monday's clash.

 Full preview: here

#ASAvBUC: Asan Mugunghwa (2nd) Vs Bucheon 1995 (4th) 19:30 

With automatic promotion on Asan Mugunghwa's radar the police team will be looking to keep the pressure up on Seongnam heading into Monday's match-up with Bucheon 1995. Whilst automatic promotion seems unlikely for Bucheon, hopes of a playoff berth a very much alive for the west Gyeonggi outfit. Asan, though, haven't lost in their last nine outings with five victories to show for their endeavours. Bucheon, however, remain in the playoff places despite having won just once in their last five. A defeat for Jung Gabsuk's men may result in the Bucheon falling out of the top four whilst Asan may well be heading for the K2 summit should Gwangju do them a favour and hold Seongnam on Saturday. Asan , who have won the last two meetings and have never lost at home to Bucheon, will be seen as favourites come Monday night.

Prediction: Asan Mugunghwa 2-0 Bucheon 1995