Preview: Daejeon Citizen vs Seoul E-Land

After what has been an almost perfect run of form for Seoul E-Land on their return to Jamsil last month, The Leopards once again find themselves on the road in the K League 2. This week, they make the journey down to Daejeon during Chuseok, to face off against last place Daejeon Citizen. Can Seoul widen the gap between themselves and the bottom or will Daejeon show some signs of life and offer hope to their supporters?

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land played their last game in the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, as they faced off against 2nd place Busan IPark. A disastrous start from the Leopards saw them go three goals down within 35 minutes of play. A hat-trick from Busan front man Novothny made Seoul look down and out. To make things worse, keeper Kim Young-kwang was stretchered off the pitch due to a clash with fellow Leopard Choi Jong-hoan. The keeper was sent to the hospital and had a number of stitches put into his forehead. We wish him a full recovery.

Seoul did not give up in this game, as has been the story of recent weeks from the side. Kim Mink-yun in the 38th minute took a long-range effort which was blasted into the back of the net, 3-1. The second half brought more Seoul pressure, however. They were rewarded ten minutes after the restart as Choi Han-sol, with another fantastic long-range effort, saw Seoul make it 3-2. Game on. The pressure from Seoul was continual, and they were rewarded in the 79th minute. Douglas Coutinho headed the ball into the back of the net, and the game was tied 3-3. Busan woke up then, and played like their lives depended on it, and in the dying embers of the game, saw Novothny miss an open net. It wasn't to be their day though, and Seoul took a well-deserved point

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 3-3 Busan IPark




Daejeon Citizen have had a tough run in recent weeks, after a stalemate down in Gwangju, the Purples found themselves away again as they travelled up to Anyang. To say that Daejeon are being pedestrian when playing could be a slight understatement, due to their poor form. They managed to once again end the game 0-0. With the side going through a turbulent season, any amount of points are good for them.

Daejeon will look to be more attacking in the game against Seoul, as they may feel it will be their best chance to pick up some more points. The game did feature Chițu who is their top scorer with six, but he could not find the back of the net on this occasion.

Full Time: FC Anyang 0-0 Daejeon Citizen

Previous Meetings

Due to the way the league fixtures are drawn, you sometimes see two teams face off against one another twice in quick succession. This is not the case with these two teams, however. The last time the two sides met, was four months ago in May. It would be an understatement to say that a lot has happened to both side in between the two fixtures, so Saturday's game could be completely different to the tie back in Cheonan all those months ago.

It was the Daejeon danger man Chițu who put Daejeon ahead in the game in the 11th minute. Daejeon played well, and they looked as if they may have all three points in the tie. However, this was when new signing Douglas Coutinho was in fine form and leveled the tie in the 83rd minute. Points were shared on this occasion. The time prior was also a draw, at 0-0. Both teams have been very lackadaisical when playing one another this year. Hopefully, we can see a more entertaining game the third time around.

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 1-1 Daejeon Citizen

Team News

The big news coming out of the Leopards camp from the last game was the injury to Kim Young-kwang. Seoul came out during the week and said how the injury was not as bad as first feared. The boss Woo Sung-yong may still rest the veteran keeper, however, as Kang Jeon-monk has been impressive in the games he has featured in this year. A spotlight will need to be shone on the two scorers in the last game Kim Mink-yun and Choi Han-sol. The two young Koreans have had stellar performances for the Leopards in recent weeks, and the two work well together. Choi Han-sol at the back looks for Kim Mink-yun, who isn't afraid to carry the ball and make a dangerous pass. In saying that, unfortunately, Choi Han-sol picked up his third yellow card of the season in the Busan game, and is suspended against Daejeon.

The general Kim Young-kwang took a bad knock in round 26 of the 2019 K League 2, will he return for the game against Daejeon Citizen? ( Photo Credit: KLeague )

Last week saw the three Brazilians upfront for Seoul, with Alex getting a nod ahead of Won Ki-jong, Alex brings stability to the side, and although he didn't score, he steadied the ship for Seoul in the game. The gaffer will continue with his 3-4-3 formation, this is a certainty. Since using this formation, Seoul have been a lot better. Seoul have a goal to reach now, in finishing the league strong. It came out this week that they have the third-highest average attendance in the league, so giving the fans a performance to match that is important. Maybe Seoul E-Land are starting to come away from the idea of being the joke team in the K League.

The Adversary

Daejeon Citizen have had a horrid year in the K League 2. With multiple problems both on an off the field. A team who have only lost one more game than Seoul with 16, the side has managed to only score 17 games throughout the entire campaign. With a goal difference of -17, their forward A. Chițu has not recreated his excellence of last year. Daejeon have slightly rocked the boat, however, beating now 3rd placed Ansan Greeners back in August. The side is very unpredictable, but also, very flat in their play.

Park In-hyeok leads the line for the Purple men, yet with only three goals in the campaign, maybe more could be asked of the Korean. With a team playing at home, you could always say they have the advantage. Yet numbers have been really down this year for Daejeon, and the fans are just not going to the games. Daejeon will be desperate to get something from the capital side, as it is now between these two teams who will finish last.

Prediction

Seoul E-Land have had a turn around in the last month. If you would of told me back in August, that they would take 11 points out of 15 in August, I would have laughed at you and asked you what video game were you playing. Yet, the side has turned it around. They play fast slick football. They pass the ball around and have an almost Arsene Wenger style of three touch football.

Daejeon Citizen are in last chance saloon now. Seoul have overtaken them, and they are on form. I feel this will be Citizen's biggest game of the season now, however, as they need to catch up with Seoul to save some dignity. Recent games between the two have always been feisty, and it will be more of the same come Chuseok Saturday night.

Predicted Score: Daejeon Citizen 1-2 Seoul E-Land