Daejeon need to find form before getting cut adrift

The Purples meet Violets with both teams looking for their first wins in three. Daejeon Hana Citizen make the trip to Anyang following back-to-back 2-1 defeats and with pressure mounting on inexperienced manager Lee Min-sung. Anyang, meanwhile, haven't won since their opening day victory over Gyeongnam and so will be keen to pick a first home win of the new campaign. WIll the league's xG leaders be able to find a breakthrough on Saturday?

Overview

via Soccerway

Recent Form

Both FC Anyang and Daejeon Hana Citizen got off to winning starts to the campaign, picking up 2-1 victories away from home. After the 2-1 win over Gyeongnam, the Violets lost the Line 4 Derby to Anan Greeners with two controversial penalty calls given to the Green Wolves, but then earned a draw against fellow "phoenix club" Bucheon FC 1995 late time out. FC Anyang are second in K League 2 for xG with 5.18 but have scored just three.

The Purples, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back 2-1 home defeats - first to Busan IPark then to Gimcheon Sangmu after getting off to a winning start to the new campaign against Bucheon. Daejeon have bossed large sections of matches but have struggled to turn possession into goals. Daejeon rank first for xG in K League 2 with 7.34 but with only four goals scored.

[READ: 2021 K League 2 Round 4 Preview]

What to Watch

Two teams who aren't afraid to have a go

As is evident from both teams' expected goal ratios, neither the Violets not the Purples are afraid to shoot. In terms of attempts on goal, Daejeon sit first in K League 2 with 55 and Anyang are second with 44. The two sides make up the top two in terms of shots per 90 minutes as well with 17.13 and 13.61 for Daejeon and Anyang respectively, but where the two sides differ is accuracy.

Daejeon, despite only scoring four goals with an xG of over seven, have found the target 40% of the time - only Ansan Greeners have a better record with over 60%. Anyang, on the other hand, sit second bottom in this regard with just 27.3% of shots finding their intended target.

How the two sides improve their fortunes in front of goal will be key if they are to challenge for the playoffs this season. For Daejeon, it will be about being more clinical in front of goal and for Anyang it will be about improving accuracy. Daejeon's recent record against Anyang makes good reading for Citizen fans with just two defeats from the last 10 meetings. However, Citizen haven't won away at Anyang since August 2018.

Who to Watch

Edinho

Picking up the mantle left by fellow Brazilian attacker Andre Luis, the onus is on Edinho to make Daejeon tick. His ability to carry the ball forward and get the Purples up the pitch is key and, despite his size, shows good strength on the ball to maintain possession. The diminutive winger has two goals so far this season, and sits at the top of the combined expected goals and assists ladder and is third for shots, 6th for shots per 90 minutes, and 6th for accuracy with 36% finding the target. It has been a disappointing start to the season for the Purples, but Edinho being able to carry his end of season form into 2021 has been a bright spot.