Incheon United vs. Daegu FC Preview: Both teams look to get back on track

On Sunday afternoon, Daegu FC travel north to confront Incheon United in a battle between two of Korea's most established community clubs. Both have had similar fortunes in previous years, qualifying for continental football and looking to compete with conglomerate-backed teams and their budgets. This new season has proved tough for both clubs, and each will be looking to take maximum points to kick-start their season.

Recent Form

Six games into the season, it's been a mixed bag for Incheon United. With two wins, two draws, and two defeats from the opening six games, Jo Sunghwan's men sit in seventh position on eight points. After taking four points from two good away performances against Ulsan HD and Gwangju FC, the Blue-Black lost in controversial circumstances last weekend at home to Jeju United.

Meanwhile, visitors Daegu FC have had problems of their own: sitting just one place and two points above bottom club Jeonbuk Motors, the Sky Blues have only one win to their name - a 2-1 away victory that came at the expense of Gwangju in Round 4. Daegu have also struggled for goals, scoring just four while conceding nine.

Head to Head

Incheon and Daegu have met 32 times in their history, with Incheon picking up 12 wins to Daegu's 8. Last season, Incheon and Daegu each won one home game each and drew an early season encounter down in Daegu 2-2. The last time the teams shared a goalless meeting was in April 2023.

Incheon's home win last year came on a hot August evening when Mugosa, Moon Jihwan and Gerso Fernandes gave Incheon a three-goal halftime lead before Cesinha converted a consolation penalty late in the second half. Daegu won on the last day of the season against Incheon and came courtesy of two Edgar goals early in the second half. Hernandes got a late consolation for Incheon.  

What to Watch

Daegu have struggled to find consistent form this season and have become overly reliant on stalwarts Edgar and Cesinha to get them out of trouble. With both expected to miss this weekend's clash due to injuries, it could be a good opportunity for the home side to pick up some more points.

In recent weeks, Incheon have seen midfielders Kim Dohyeok and Moon Jihwan return to action after injury layoffs. Australian defender Harrison Delbridge is the next player on the brink of full fitness and is expected to be back in the squad this weekend. This will give United's coach, Jo Sunghwan, more options at the back and potentially the first opportunity for fans to see Matej Jonjic and Delbridge partner up.

With Cesinha and Edgar missing, Daegu's hopes may fall on their other Brazilians, Bertola and Lucas Barcelos, to provide the creativity and goals that the injured duo usually offer. The Sky Blues have not scored in the last two games and need to start picking up more points to move up the league and away from danger.

With the news reported yesterday that officials from last weekend's Incheon game have been suspended due to their performance, the motivation for Incheon to make up for last weekend's injustice writes itself. Having been deprived of at least a point last weekend, the Durumi will no doubt be doing all they can to return to winning ways.

Who to Watch

With two goals and an assist so far this season, Gerso Fernandes will be looking to build on his tally again this week. His electric pace was a constant threat last weekend against Jeju last week, and with Daegu favouring a back three and Incheon usually playing a front three, there could be a lot of space on the wings available to exploit. 

Where to Watch

The games will be available to stream online at K League TV outside of Korea, and in all the usual places inside. The game takes place on Sunday 14th April and kicks off at 16:30 KST.