Preview: K League Challenge Round 35

We reach the penultimate leg of the K League Challenge and there are still two play-off positions yet to be decided and the race for them could not be closer. Bucheon 1995, Asan Mugunghwa and Seongnam FC all play at home this weekend with the same hope they can achieve their results whilst the others slip up. Will we see an upset this weekend? Find out in our guide to round 35.
(Photo Credit: AsanFC.com)

Saturday 21st October 

Bucheon 1995 (5th) Vs Suwon FC (7th)

Last weekend saw Bucheon arrested their stuttering form with a victory over bottom of the table Daejeon Citizen. Prior to that, the club had seen themselves slip out of play-off contention after picking up two points in four games. While the victory has helped, they are still sitting one point outside of the play-off positions and will be hoping for favours from elsewhere in addition to victory here. Suwon FC, on the other hand, will be playing for the first time under new manager Kim Daeui as he uses these final fixtures to sort through the quality of players at his disposal and begin planning his winter transfer spending. Those who wish to remain at the club may well be driven to put in a performance for their new boss this Saturday. Suwon FC have had a torrid time of recent however, and have not won on the road since June in a repeat of this very fixture. With more on the line for the hosts however, it's difficult to envisage this going in anyway but in Bucheon's favour.

Prediction: Bucheon 1995 1-0 Suwon FC

Asan Mugunghwa (3rd) Vs Gyeongnam FC (1st)

Police side Asan Mugunghwa welcome the already crowned champions Gyeongnam FC and will be hoping that the visitors will still be in a partying mood. With only two points separating them from 5th place, the home side will desperately want to secure a victory here to ensure they have control of their fate come next weekend's final round when they will look to confirm their play-off qualification. Asan have won five of the last six and are in stronger form than their opponents who had tailed off slightly whilst waiting to be anointed.  With more on the line, and a surge in form at the right time, Asan could upset the bookmakers here by edging a result, yet given the quality Gyeongnam possess, it would be dangerous to overlook them completely. Therefore, we'll opt for a draw.

Prediction: Asan Mugunghwa 1-1 Gyeongnam

Ansan Greeners (9th) Vs Seoul E-Land (8th)

One of two matches this weekend with nothing riding on it. That said, there are two points between the sides so it is at least an opportunity to get one over each other. E-Land have just three singular points from their last seven outings and will be disappointed in the way their season has ended given that encouraging spell of form back in August. Ansan have also not had the greatest of seasons, but have at least picked up points against Asan and Gyeongnam within the last three rounds. The record between the two sides this seasons reads one win each and a highly entertaining 3-3 all draw. For the sake of the neutral, let's hope for a repeat of the latter.

Prediction: Ansan Greeners 1-1 Seoul E-Land

Sunday 22nd October

Seongnam FC (4th) Vs Daejeon Citizen (10th)

Seongnam will come into this game with plenty of pressure on them, especially if Asan and Bucheon have claimed victories twenty-four hours prior. Fortunately, they face a Daejeon side who are just longing for this disastrous campaign to be put to bed. Seongnam haven't been at the races in terms of goals at recent (or for the majority of the season for that matter), but have been strong defensively, losing just two games in their last twenty-four outings and picking up four clean sheets in their last four matches. That said, the last time these two sides met, Seongnam scored a rare four goals against The Purples on Daejeon turf. With a play-off berth within their grasp, it would be very unlikely to see Seongnam slip up now.

Prediction: Seongnam FC 2-0 Daejeon Citizen

FC Anyang (6th) Vs Busan IPark (2nd)

The second match with little to play for sees a Busan side who cannot be budged from second place face an Anyang side in sixth on goals scored, but with no hopes of achieving a higher position. Busan played out an away victory wrought with emotion as they traveled to Suwon days after the tragic death of their manager Cho Jin-ho, in a match where they looked as if they didn't want to be. They will eventually return to their home stadium midweek in for an FA Cup semi-final against Classic side Suwon Bluewings and therefore, despite not fielding a first eleven for most of the cup competition up until now, may choose to on that occasion as the final is within touching distance. This means that Anyang may very well come up against a rotated Busan side with the minds focused elsewhere. With the last two meetings between these sides also ending in a draw, it seems sensible to suggest the same may happen again on Sunday.

Prediction: FC Anyang 0-0 Busan I'Park