Preview: FC Seoul vs Incheon United

Both FC Seoul and Incheon United head into this Sunday's Gyeongin Derby looking to bounce back from midweek defeats in the Korean FA Cup. Whilst Seoul fell to a last minute winner away to fellow K League 1 side Gangwon FC, Incheon were the victims of a giant killing, losing to fourth tier Cheongju FC. Incheon have lost six on the bounce in all competitions but Seoul haven't beaten the Durumi in their last four attempts.

Overview

via Soccerway

Last Time Out

FA Cup 4th Round: Gangwon FC 3-2 FC Seoul

FC Seoul were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage on Wednesday thanks to an injury time winner from Gangwon's Uroš Đerić. After Sunday's league meeting, which Seoul emerged as 2-1 victors, manager Choi Yongsoo made just one change - opting to rest Aleksandar Pešić with Park Chuyoung partnering Cho Youngwook in attack.

The change paid dividends as, despite falling behind via a 21st minute Lee Hyunsik strike, the veteran striker turned the game on its head with a brace, firing in an equaliser on 54 minutes before giving Seoul the lead just two minutes later.

However, Đerić, who came back into the side as one of a whole host of changes by Gangwon gaffer Kim Byungsoo, restored parity from the spot on the hour mark. Then, in the dying embers, the Serbian striker sent the Chuncheon-based side into the fifth round with a 93rd minute winner.

FA Cup 4th Round: Incheon United 0-1 Cheongju FC 

Manager-less Incheon United were the victims of a cupset on Wednesday night following a home defeat to Cheongju FC of the fourth tier. The K3 Advanced side were able to book their place in the fifth round thanks to a 19th minute Lee Donghyun strike.

The defeat was Incheon's sixth on the spin in all competitions and another game where the Durumi failed to find the back of the net. United have gone over 420 minutes without scoring.

Previous Meetings

The last meeting between these two sides turned out to be a rather pivotal match for both FC Seoul and Incheon United. In November last year, with FC Seoul needing just a point to secure survival from the dreaded relegation playoff place, and Incheon United themselves looking to avoid the trap door, a Han Sukjong strike in the seventh minute gave Incheon the Gyeongin Derby win. For Seoul defeat meant that anything less than a point away to Sangju in round 38 would see the capital club slip to 11th.

From four meetings in 2018 Incheon recorded two wins and two draws. The first meeting at Sangam in April ended in a 1-1 draw with supersub Song Siwoo coming off the bench to cancel out Evandro's opener. Then, in July a Moon Seonmin winner in the last six minutes gave United a 2-1 win.

In September last year, the two sides played out a 1-1 draw, Go Yohan on target for Seoul after Moon Seonmin had given Incheon the lead on the stroke of half time.

Overall, from 48 meetings, FC Seoul have 23 to Incheon's 11 and 14 draws. In the capital, Seoul have 16 wins to Incheon's two and eight draws.

Team News

Choi Yongsoo isn't one to make too many changes to the team but, given that his side shipped three goals in midweek, including a late, late Gangwon winner, may want to make some tweaks. During the 3-2 FA Cup 4th Round defeat to Gangwon, Osmar was introduced at half time to replace Lee Woonghee and so could be in line for a first start of the campaign.The Spaniard largely operated as a left-sided centre back in a back three during Choi's first spell in charge.

Goalkeeper Yoo Sanghoon's error allowed Gangwon to take the lead through Lee Hyunsik on Wednesday night and so could be replaced by Yang Hanbin between the sticks. In Thursday's press conference at GS Champions Park in Guri, east Seoul manager Choi Yongsoo was asked about Yang's presence in front of the media:

"Yoo Sanghoon has played a big role this season with his excellent performances, but recently his concentration levels seem to have dropped a touch. Both Yang Hanbin and Yoo Sanghoon have different attributes from each other but Yang Hanbin can't just train and that's it. He prepares well and is professional and so he is able to have a positive effect on results and help the team. It's not about who plays but who can have a positive influence on the team. They have both prepared well."

FC Seoul lineup vs Gangwon, FA Cup 4th Round

The Adversary

The Gyeongin Derby is normally the biggest game of the season for Incheon United. However following five straight league defeats, the dismissal of manager Jørn Andersen on Monday and then an embarrassing cup exit to K3 League side Cheongju FC on Wednesday, Incheon fans are pretty low at the moment. That being said a win over (or even a draw against) rivals FC Seoul in enemy territory would be a huge boost at such a low time.

Caretaker manager Lim Joongyong will could be focused into making sweeping changes for a number of reasons. Captain Nam Junjae is suspended following a red card last weekend and Stefan Mugoša is still doubtful due to a neck injury. The formation will likely be a defensive 4-5-1, mainly due to a lack of attacking options.

With Stefan Mugoša and Nam Junjae both absent this Sunday, it will provide another chance for some other players to shine. Winger turned left back Kim Jinya has been a ray of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy day. His commitment and work rate have been impressive during this disappointing time. Also, Vietnamese superstar Nguyễn Công Phượng only played the first half during the cup defeat during the week and was again off the pace and so could be on the bench for the derby.

Incheon will be hoping for a change of fortune and a moral boost heading into Sunday’s game. On paper they’ll be the underdogs, however FC Seoul also lost in the cup during the week. In a derby match, Incheon can sometimes find something to pick up a much needed result.
- Tim Barnes

Incheon United lineup vs Ulsan Hyundai, K League 1 R7

Who To Watch

FC Seoul - Park Chuyoung

Park has three goals for FC Seoul this term, the same number from the whole of the 2018 season

Park Chuyoung has three goals so far this season in all competitions, two of which came on Wednesday night away to Gangwon. Park's brace in midweek could be enough to keep his place in the team for the visit of Incheon this Sunday after returning to the team to replace Aleksandar Pešić.

Manager Choi Yongsoo brought Park Chuyoung back to K League in 2015 after spells in Europe and the Middle East and was seen as an important part of the team, eventually going on to score the goal that clinched the K League title away to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on the final day of the season - albeit under Hwang Sunhong. The Daegu-born forward's career has stagnated over the last couple of years but, playing for a manager who has his backing, may be just what Park needs to get back on track.

Incheon United - Gordan Bunoza

Bunoza (R) in action for Incheon against Jeonbuk

Centre back Gordan Bunoza has played every single minute of Incheon United's seven K League matches so far this season. Now departed manager Jørn Andersen reiterated Bunoza's importance to the team before the season began, stating that keeping hold of the Bosnia and Herzegovinan centre half as well as striker Stefan Mugoša was high up on his list of priorities. With Mugoša's absence through injury the Durumi's already faltering forward line has had its wings clipped even more so.

If Incheon are to get anything from this Sunday's Gyeongin Derby then being tighter at the back will be seen as an absolute must - Bunoza in particular will have to play an important role in trying to doing so. The 31 year-old has made 49 interceptions this season, averaging at just over six per match - enough to earn himself a place in the top 10 in K League 1. Bunoza is also in the top 10 for defensive duels and is first for the number shots blocked with nine.

Prediction

Wednesday's FA Cup defeat aside, on paper, and given the recent league form of these two teams, a home win would be seen as a mere foregone conclusion. However, Incheon have caused problems for their Gyeongin Derby rivals over the last couple of years - last season in particular. That Seoul should have enough to get a result and, should Osmar and Pešić both start, have every chance of recording their first win over Incheon since July 2017 but a stalemate is not altogether out of the question.