Can Daejeon turn possession into goals against Gimcheon?

The final K League match of the weekend sees Daejeon Hana Citizen host Gimcheon Sangmu for the very first time. Daejeon will be keen to get back to winning ways following a 2-1 reverse to Busan IPark last time out, Gimcheon meanwhile are still searching for their first points of 2021.

Recent Form

Daejeon welcome Gimcheon having lost 2-1 to Busan IPark last week in a game which saw the Purples dominate large spells of the match. Daejeon had over 60% possession and an xG of 2.83 but could only find a breakthrough from the penalty spot. Citizen had 19 shots, 10 of which hit the target, compared to Busan's three from nine. The loss with have been a bitter blow to new manager Lee Min-sung who got off to a winning start on opening weekend, easing past Bucheon in a 2-1 victory.

Making the relatively short distance to Daejeon from North Gyeongsang is Gimcheon Sangmu, a side tipped by many to finish the season as runaway K League 2 champions. However, Gimcheon suffered a 4-0 loss to Seoul E-Land last time out and had to settle for a draw on opening day away to Ansan Greeners.

[READ: 2021 K League 2 Round 3 Preview]

What to Watch

xG + Possession = Results?

Daejeon will have left the field last weekend feeling a little hard done by. But, the fact of the matter is, Busan took their chances. The Royals' first was a superb move on the counter attack and the second was a bullet header from a corner. Throughout the 90, IPark only had one other attempt on goal which found the target.

Daejeon's task now is to turn possession and expected goals and actual goals. Daejeon's expected goals from Sunday was 2.83 but they scored just one and that was from the penalty spot. Against Bucheon it was 3.55 but scored just two. They have dominated large spells and had most of the ball - 61% against Busan and 60% against Bucheon but they need to be clinical. G

Gimcheon have been lacklustre so far in 2021, an xG of 0.91 and 0.72 against Ansan and Seoul E-Land respectively, averaging 36% shooting accuracy. The army side's poor start won't last forever and so it is imperative that the Purples make the most of the opportunities that they carve out. How they approach the game will be something to keep tabs on.

Team News

Daejeon skipper Park Jin-seop is expected to start after making his comeback from injury. Park is likely to slot in at defensive midfield with Lee Jin-hyun ushered further forward. The signing of Matheus Pato was announced on Friday but the Brazilian is unlikely to feature, fellow Brazilian Bruno Baio is likely to start on the bench. Centre back Lee Ji-sol is back in full training and so could be recalled with Lim Deok-keun missing out. Lee Woong-hee, however, is not expected to return until next month.

Gimcheon's latest batch of recruits are not available just yet. Kim Tae-wan will soon have the likes of Gu Sung-yun, Jung Seung-hyun, Jung Hyeon-cheol, Cho Gue-seong and Ha Chang-rae available for selection but not until they have completed their basic military training.

Who to Watch

Bruno Baio

Despite manager Lee Min-sung saying that Bruno Baio wouldn't be included in his match day 18 until mid March, the Brazilian was brought on as a sub during the defeat to Busan last time out. The 25-year-old was only on the pitch for around 13 minutes but had a glorious opportunity to find an equaliser heading into time added on. The miss will have been disappointing, but it was one of those chances that won't, or shouldn't, be missed again. Daejeon will be relying on Baio to find the goals this season as they seek a return to the top flight.

Baio is, by all accounts, very happy to be back at Daejeon and will be greatly determined to put last season's playoff heartbreak behind him and fire the Purples to promotion. Whether he is in from the start or coming off the bench, he has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders but has the test of character to produce the goods.