Key Matches in the Key Races: Alternative K League 1 Round 28 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, and the automatic relegation spot firmly in one team's hands. But what are the key matches in the key races this weekend? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 28.

Race for the Top 4

Daejeon Hana Citizen (4th) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (2nd)

Sunday 31st August - 19:00

Daejeon Hana Citizen's 3-2 loss to FC Anyang last weekend meant back-to-back defeats for the first time this season. It also meant the Purples slipped to fourth place and are in danger of falling out of the race for AFC Champions League qualification. Hwang Sun-hong now has the unenviable task of trying to lift the mood around Purple Arena and return to winning ways against one of the division's in-form teams. 

While Gimcheon are unable to qualify for ACL, they are in the driving seat for second place, which would represent a record finish for any K League army team. Gimcheon are six unbeaten and have scored 16 goals during that run. Chung Jung-yong's men have suffered just one loss in 11 and are now K League 1's second-top scorers. The sharp-shooting army team will be heavy favourites for Sunday's clash. But Daejeon have gone unbeaten against Gimcheon this season with a 2-0 away win in Round 9 and a 0-0 draw in Round 19. 

K League TV Stream [ENG]: here

Race for Final A

Ulsan HD (8th) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st)

Saturday 30th August  - 19:00

The Hyundai Ga Derby, or Hyundai Family Derby, doesn't quite have the same shine to it this season. Ulsan HD sit eighth in the table and have work to do just to reach Final A, let alone the AFC Champions League spots. With Jeonbuk 14 points clear at the top of the table, Saturday's clash will be more about how Ulsan acquit themselves as they look to bounce back from two straight losses and just one win in their last eight. Ulsan have beaten Jeonbuk this season, though, albeit back in Round 3 at home, but lost their most recent meeting - a 3-1 reverse in Round 17 in Jeonju. Ulsan will need to improve their home record, having won just five of 13 matches at the Munsu this season. Jeonbuk have actually earned more wins away from home than they have on their own patch, with 10 wins from 13 matches on the travels this season compared to eight from 14 at Jeonju Castle.

K League TV Stream [ENG]: here

[READ: K League 1 Round 27 Wrap-up]

Relegation Battle

Jeju SK (10th) vs. Gwangju FC (6th)

Saturday 30th August - 19:00

Four matches without a win have left Jeju SK in the bottom three. Gwangju's indifferent form and the sudden departure of star man Jasir Asani mean the Griffins are also in danger of getting sucked into the relegation battle. Gwangju are currently in sixth place but have just a four-point cushion over Jeju, meaning a win for the Islanders this Saturday could blow the relegation battle wide open. Being back at home will be of comfort to Jeju, having picked up six of their eight wins this season on the island, but lost to Gwangju when they last made the short flight over in Round 19. 

K League TV Stream: here

Suspensions

Jin Si-woo, Gwangju FC
Lee Seung-won, Gimcheon Sangmu
Ha Chang-rae, Daejeon Hana Citizen
Park Soo-il, FC Seoul

Pablo Sabbag, Suwon FC

Gus Poyet, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (touchline ban)
Lee Ho-jae, Pohang Steelers

Where to Watch

Watch all matches live and for free on TV.KLeague.com.