Preview: Suwon FC vs Busan IPark

Suwon FC will be looking to end a run of five straight defeats this Saturday in the K League 2. Their opponents are Busan IPark, who ended their own winless streak last weekend and will be eager to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot.

Last Time Out

Suwon FC recorded their fifth defeat on the bounce last weekend away to league leaders Asan Mugunghwa. Despite having Cho Sung-jun sent off after only 15 minutes, Asan took a two goal lead before the hour mark with goals from Kim Hyun and talismanic midfielder Lee Myeong-joo. Suwon pulled a goal back late on through Lee Jae-an, but it was too little too late for the away team.

Asan Mugunghwa 2-1 Suwon FC highlights here.

Busan IPark, meanwhile, put an end to a five game winless run to defeat FC Anyang. Anyang had a one goal lead at half time after Kim Jin-rae's strike, but second half goals from Kim Moon-hwan and Kim Jin-gyu earned Busan a deserved three points and kept them on Daejeon's heels in the playoff race.

FC Anyang 1-2 Busan IPark highlights here.

Previous Meetings

Suwon have enjoyed their encounters with Busan this year, recording two wins and a draw against the seasiders. Baek Sung-dong was the match-winner when the teams met at the end of August, scoring the winner after 15 minutes. In the three meetings between the sides this year, Busan have only managed one goal, scored by Romulo in May's draw at the Gudeok Stadium.

Results in 2018:
Suwon FC 1-0 Busan IPark
Busan IPark 1-1 Suwon FC
Busan IPark 0-1 Suwon FC

Team News

Busan could field a similar team to the one that beat Anyang last time out. They have been without all of their regular centre-backs in the past few weeks. Kim Myung-joon, Jeong Ho-jeong, Hong Jin-gi, Yeon Jei-min and Park Tae-hong have all been injured, so full-backs Ku Hyeon-joon and Kwon Jin-young could continue as makeshift central defenders.

Who To Watch

Having received another call from Korean national team boss Paulo Bento during the week, Busan's versatile youngster Kim Moon-hwan is enjoying the best period of his fledgling career. The 23 year-old has scored in each of his last two appearances for Busan, despite playing as a full-back on both occasions. Capable of filling in on either flank in defence or midfield, Kim looks certain to be involved and will be key to ending a poor run of results against this weekend's opposition.



For Suwon, winger Baek Sung-dong is a key creative force. The former Jubilo Iwata and Sagan Tosu midfielder was the match-winner when these sides last met and his speed and guile could cause problems for Busan's makeshift centre-backs. Although Baek has failed to replicate his numbers from last season (3 goals and 0 assists in 2018, compared to 8 goals and 4 assists in 2017), the former Korean youth international is still a class act with the ability to change games.

Prediction

Suwon are still in with a chance of the playoffs despite their recent poor run and they might fancy their chances against a team they've already beaten twice this year. Busan have struggled for goals against Suwon this year but I'm backing them to come away with a point on Saturday.

Suwon FC 1-1 Busan IPark