Preview: Incheon United vs Daegu FC

Incheon United will be looking to bounce back from defeat during their Gyeongin Derby game last weekend as they take on Daegu FC this coming Sunday. Daegu are undefeated in four, whilst Incheon only have a single win in their last five, so it will be an uphill battle for the home side.

Last Time Out

FC Seoul 3 - 1 Incheon United

Incheon suffered a disappointing defeat last weekend at the hands of local rivals FC Seoul. The Gyeongin Derby started pretty well for the visiting side as Incheon took the lead via Kim Ho-nam who benefited from a mistake at the back from FC Seoul. The half ended with Incheon a goal ahead.

In the second half, FC Seoul regrouped and took control of the game. First Ju Se-jong leveled the game fifteen minutes into the half. Ten minutes later Park Chu-young converted a stonewall penalty to take the lead. Jung Won-jin added a third for Seoul to seal the win and send the Incheon fans home unhappy once again.

Highlights:

Daegu FC 0 - 0 Pohang Steelers

Daegu were held at home by fellow midtable side Pohang Steelers last weekend as both sides try to end up on the top part of the league split. Daegu created the better openings in front of yet another packed house, but couldn't find a way past Pohang keeper Kang Hyeon-mu. Cesinha & Edgar Silva looked the most like scoring during the ninety minutes for Daegu.

Highlights:

Previous Meetings

So far this season Incheon and Daegu have played each other twice with Daegu winning both games. 3-0 away in March and 2-1 at home in May. They also played each other four times during the 2018 season; with Daegu winning twice, one game ending goalless and the other was won 2-1 by Incheon.

Incheon last beat Daegu at home during the summer of 2013 winning 2-1. Brazilian Diogo Acosta scored the winner that evening. Daegu last beat Incheon away earlier this season. Winning 3-0 with Kim Jin-hyeok scoring a brace, and Cesinha with a late third

Over the years Incheon and Daegu have played each other 40 times with the victories edged by Incheon. They've won fourteen times versus Daegu's eleven. The other fifteen games have ended in draws.

Team News

Incheon United Manager Yoo Sang-chul needs to ring the changes again this weekend following the defeat to Seoul.  However, he will be has a full squad to choose from as no one is currently suspended. But there are a few players currently a booking away from a ban.

Incheon key defender Gordan Bunoza returned to the bench this past Sunday against Seoul having been out injured since the beginning of the summer. So he could start against Daegu. Also Lee Sang-hyeob finished he military service and will be another option in midfield at this key point of the season.

Daegu FC also have no players suspended for this game in Incheon.

Adversary

Daegu had a tough start to the season crashing out of the Champions League in the group stages. However, in the league they've performed well, and are currently sitting in fifth place three points above the split. One highlight has been their new home the DGB Arena, which has boosted their home form.

Brazilian pair Cesinha & Edgar Silva are the big dangers moving forward for Daegu. Cesinha has eleven goals so far this season, his fourth for Daegu. Edgar Silva has eight goals from fifteen games this season. Finally, Korean international keeper Cho Hyun-woo is a big name at the moment, and is key in the Daegu defence.

Who To Watch

Incheon United's current top scorer Stefan Mugoša has ten goals to his name so far this season, including two against Pohang and a hat-trick against Ulsan, both in the past month. He seems to be finally finding his scoring form from last season when he bagged nineteen goals.

Moving into the midfield Kim Ho-nam has four goals to his name since joining in the summer from Jeju United. He scored the only goal this past weekend against Seoul, but can lack fitness towards the end of the game.

Finally at the back, U23 International Kim Jin-ya has been the only standout player so far this season. He offers options moving forward and at the back and has a seemingly unlimited gas-tank. Also, keeper Jeong San has struggled in recent weeks, but fingers crossed he can bounce back this coming Sunday.

Prediction

With four games to go until the split Daegu know that a couple more wins will guarantee them a place in the top half. Incheon, on the other hand, are only one point above Jeju at the bottom and are in real trouble.

Overall, it will be a close game like previous times when these sides play. Incheon have a poor home record with only one win on home soil all season. So it seems like Daegu will be the favorites to win this one, but Incheon should give them a close game and at least get on the scoresheet.

Predicted Score: Incheon United 1-2 Daegu FC

[READ: K League 1 Round 30 Preview.]