Key Matches in the Key Races: Alternative K League 1 Round 24 Preview

The 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into a handful of key races, perhaps even fewer for those who see the title race more or less sewn up. But what are the key matches in the key races in Round 24? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 24.

Top 4 Race

Daejeon Hana Citizen (2nd) vs. FC Seoul (4th)
Sunday 27th July - 19:00

Back to winning ways after a run of six without, not to mention five straight draws, Daejeon Hana Citizen will be hoping Wednesday's win over Ulsan is enough to get their season back on track. Despite having led the league for a number of weeks, Hwang Sun-hong's men have been in danger of slipping out of the top four altogether. The visit of FC Seoul this Sunday will be about building on the win at the Munsu, and tightening their grip on second place with all the Purples' main rivals for ACL qualification dropping points in midweek; from Gimcheon in third to Ulsan in seventh, all teams below Daejeon failed to win. 

That includes FC Seoul, who, despite being 2-1 ahead away to Jeju SK, and level at 2-2 heading into the dying embers, suffered a 3-2 reverse. It's one step forward, two steps back with the mood around the club improving following the win over Ulsan, only for Kim Gi-dong and his men to suffer another setback. But two wins and a run of four unbeaten before that had propelled Seoul up to fourth place and back in contention for ACL for the second season in succession and potentially the runner-up spot.

Six points separate the two teams, and this Sunday's clash can therefore be seen as a bit of a six-pointer. The first two meetings of 2025 ended as draws, though, first 2-2 in the capital despite Daejeon holding a 2-0 half-time lead, and 0-0 in the second, despite FC Seoul having 23 shots and landing eight on target. 

There are usually goals in this fixture, despite the most recent 0-0 draw. On average, from 32 total goals in nine meetings since 2023, there have been 3.55 goals per match - including two 0-0s. Further evidence points to there being goals as Seoul have the highest xG value in K League 1 at 36.3, while Daejeon's is fifth at 28.6. Daejeon have the second-highest xGA in the league at 33, but make the most successful tackles per match at 12.5 and third-most clearances at 27.2. Daejeon tend to live dangerously, with their games very open, and the likes of Lingard and Anderson will be stern tests. Anderson bagged two and laid on one assist for Suwon FC in a 3-0 win in his last appearance against Daejeon.

K League TV Stream: here

Race for Final A

Gangwon FC (9th) vs. Ulsan HD (7th)

Sunday 27th July - 19:00

Bouncing back from midweek defeats will be the first port of call for both Gangwon FC and Ulsan HD. The top two from last season are currently languishing in midtable, with Ulsan's defeat to Daejeon leaving them in seventh and Gangwon's loss to Jeonbuk leaving them ninth. But on the bright side, Ulsan are only two points behind the top six with a game in hand, while Gangwon are only three points away. 

While the aim will be to back into contention for Final A, both will be looking over their shoulders somewhat, with Anyang and Suwon experiencing resurgences. The pressure will be on Ulsan boss Kim Pan-gon to inspire a resurgence at Ulsan, but the manner of the loss to Daejeon will have done significant damage to already low dressing room morale, having gone 1-0 ahead only to concede almost immediately and then lose the game in the last minute. The defeat meant that the wounded Horangi's last win dates back to May 24th, 10 matches ago in all competitions with seven losses - three in the league. Gangwon, meanwhile, enjoyed a good run at Gangneung Stadium last season, losing just once. Ulsan picked up four points from the two previous meetings, earning a 2-1 win in Round 9 and a 1-1 draw in Round 14.

[OFFICIAL: 2025 K League 1 Round 24 Preview]

K League TV Stream: here

Relegation Battle

Suwon FC (11th) vs. FC Anyang (10th)

Saturday 26th July - 19:00

Suwon FC taking on FC Anyang, a genuine relegation six-pointer, this Saturday, is a huge clash between two teams currently in the bottom three, but two teams that have begun to find a bit of form. Suwon have suddenly found their goal-scoring touch, enabling them to pick up two wins on the spin and move eight points clear of Daegu in 12th. The 2-1 comeback win over Gwangju in Round 22 was followed up with a 5-1 demolition of Pohang. 

Anyang, meanwhile, put four past Daegu to move within three points of absolute safety. With Anyang sat five points above Suwon, a win for the Violets would be massive in Ryu Byeong-hoon and his team distancing themselves from the bottom two. Conversely, a third win on the spin for Kim Eun-jung and Suwon would give the Castle Park side belief that they can get out of the mire completely. FC Anyang emerged victorious from the two meetings this season, winning 3-1 in Round 9 and 2-1 in Round 18.

K League TV Stream: here 

[READ: Bruno Mota living the dream at FC Anyang]

Worth a Mention...

Daegu FC versus Pohang Steelers is a match that comes at a critical time for both teams. Daegu are well adrift at the foot of the table and simply cannot afford to let that gap grow any wider, while Pohang, having lost their last two with eight goals conceded, are in danger of dropping out of the top half. With just three points between fifth and ninth, and six between fourth and 10th, Pohang prolonging their winless run could drag them into the relegation battle.  

Watch all K League matches LIVE, for FREE, and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.

[READ: Suwon FC's Andrigo delighted to just get an opportunity]

Suspensions

Kim Dae-woo, Gangwon FC (2 matches)

Caio Marcelo, Daegu FC (2 matches)
Choi Jun, FC Seoul (1 match)
Thomas Oude Kotte, FC Anyang (1 match)
Kim Dong-jin, Pohang Steelers (2 matches)