Ulsan HD vs. Suwon FC Preview: Can the Horangi claw themselves back to winning ways?

There's just one K League 1 match taking place this weekend, one with English commentary, but it is now a hugely important one with hosts Ulsan HD in desperate need of a win and Suwon FC starting to believe they can pull themselves out of the relegation mire.

Overview & Match Information

Fixture: Ulsan HD vs. Suwon FC
Competition: 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 20

Venue: Ulsan Munsu Stadium, Ulsan

Date: Saturday 2nd August, 19:00 KST
Streaming: K League TV (ENG)

The re-arranged Round 20 match between Ulsan HD and Suwon FC allows the former to go back and make amends for what has been a disastrous run of form since late May. Comes at the perfect time for Suwon, given their recent revival, but it will be seen as an absolute must-win for Ulsan if they are to get their season back on track and move into the top half.

[READ: The K League 1 Wrap-Up: Suwon FC’s Resurgence Continues]

Recent Form

Ulsan are without a league win in their last six, but that run stretches to 10 in all competitions, including seven losses. The pressure is firmly on manager Kim Pan-gon with fan boycotts and demonstrations threatening to end his tenure early. Last time out, Ulsan shipped yet another late goal that led to points dropped. Gangwon's Hong Chul fired in an injury-time free kick to make it 2-2, despite Marcão's second goal on 83 minutes restoring the Horangi's lead. In the round before, Ulsan conceded a late Daejeon winner at home.

Suwon FC are very much on the up, following three straight wins with nine goals scored. The Castle Park side are now only two points behind FC Anyang in 10th and four behind Jeju SK in ninth. Kim Eun-jung's summer recruits have made a real impact, with Willyan scoring in the 2-1 win over Gwangju, Andrigo having a huge hand in the winner in that same game, and the former scoring twice in the 5-1 win over Pohang then once more in the 2-1 win over Anyang, not to mention a goal and an assist from Ahn Hyeon-beom at the Steel Yard. 

Head-to-Head

The head-to-head is heavily in Ulsan's favour with 13 wins from the total 18 appearances, two wins for Suwon, and just three draws. One of those draws was the first meeting of this season, 1-1 at Castle Park, with Luan Dias opening the scoring after 13 minutes before Erick Farias levelled on 73. Last season, from the four meetings, there were on average 3.5 goals scored per game, with Ulsan earning two wins, Suwon one, and one draw.

[READ: Summer Transfer Window Closes With 109 New Registrations]

What to Watch

Suwon FC's centre backs against Marcão; Suwon on the counter

Now with three substitute appearances under his belt and two goals scored, Marcão will be pushing for a start. And given the desperate situation Ulsan find themselves in, Kim Pan-gon may have to be a bit more direct, almost route one in his approach, sacrificing style just to get that much-needed win. Marcão is a big unit and will be a handful for Suwon's centre backs, so how they look to contain him will be worth keeping an eye on. But what will also be worth keeping an eye on is how dangerous Suwon can be on the counter, thanks in part to their new recruits. Willyan's sharp decision-making and eye for the spectacular will need constant monitoring. In addition, Suwon will be riding high following their last three results, so will not be phased by the trip to the Munsu. Kim Eun-jung and his time, thanks to some convincing performances, will feel as though they can inflict more misery on Ulsan.

Where to Watch

Follow the match LIVE, for FREE, with English commentary and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.