Preview: Bucheon 1995 Vs Daejeon Citizen

Daejeon Citizen head north to the capital area to take on Bucheon 1995 in what will be both teams' final game before the World Cup break. Daejeon head into Saturday evening's match on the back of a three game winless run after two defeats and a draw. Bucheon, meanwhile, still have their sights on the K League 2 summit after ending their four game stretch without a win thanks to a convincing victory over Suwon FC. A win for the Purples would put them firmly back in the playoff picture whilst a win for 1995 could see Jung Gapsuk's men would put pressure on the top two.
(image via K League)

Overview

via Soccerway.com

Last Time Out

Daejeon Citizen 1-1 Ansan Greeners

On Wednesday evening Daejeon Citizen played out a 1-1 draw with Ansan Greeners at home to see their winless run stretch to three games. The Purples took the lead thanks to a Kwon Youngho header from a corner, the centre half's first for the club in what was only his second league start. Kwon's header just before half time was enough to send Citizen in at the break ahead but Ansan hit back just after the hour mark via the returning Raul Tarragona. However, the Uruguayan striker was later sent off for what was adjudged to have been an elbow on Daejeon full back Jang Wonseok during an aerial challenge.

Both sides had goals chalked off for offside, Daejeon's in the 93rd minute, prior to which the woodwork prevented Ko Jongsoo's men from snatching all three points but a draw was a fair result. Daejeon are now five points off the playoffs in seventh.

Highlights: here

Bucheon 1995 4-1 Suwon FC

Bucheon put their run of four games without victory to an end with a thumping 4-1 win over Suwon FC. Former Busan IPark striker Willian Popp got the hosts off to the perfect start with a goal inside the two minutes, latching on the end of a Nilsen Jr. through ball to finish neatly past Suwon custodian Lee Sangwook.

Suwon levelled on 23 minutes through Mo Jaehyun. After some patient build-up play, the ball was laid into the bath of Mo who stuck the ball first time into the top corner from the edge of the box. With half time approaching it looked as if Bucheon and Suwon would head into the break all square, that was until Lee Kwangjae restored Bucheon's advantage with just three minutes of the first half remaining when the ball broke free on the 18-yard line. Lee duly stepped up to bury the ball emphatically into the bottom corner.

Bucheon made it 3-1 on 65 minutes through Jin Changsoo. A partially cleared corner landed at the feet of Bucheon's number 16 at the edge of the area who then hit a first-time shot through a busy penalty area and into the bottom corner.

The win was capped off by Jin Changsoo who bagged his second in injury time after Bucheon hit Suwon on the counter. Ahn Taehyun played in Jin Changsoo on the edge of the area who then took a touch before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper. Despite the win, Bucheon slipped to third but are just three points behind Seongnam.

Highlights: here

Previous Meetings

These two sides met on the opening day of the season at Purple Arena with Bucheon emerging as the winners in a 2-1 victory. Willian Popp put Bucheon ahead on 13 minutes before Yun Junseong levelled on 34 for Daejeon. Gong Minhyun ensured that Bucheon got off to a winning start to the campaign with an 85th minute winner.

Daejeon's last trip to Bucheon ended in 1-0 defeat, Nilsen Jr. with the only goal of the game in May 2017 meaning that the Purples haven't beaten Bucheon in their last seven attempts. The last time Citizen beat Bucheon away from home dates back to four years ago.

In total, these two sides have met just 13 times with Bucheon notching up six wins, Daejeon four and three draws.

Team News

Daejeon Citizen are still expected to be without first choice goalkeeper Kim Jinyoung following the 26-year-old's knee injury which was sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Gwangju last Sunday. Lim Minhyeok will continue to deputise in his absence.

However, Uzbek midfielder and top scorer Shohruh Gadoev will be available for selection again having served a one-match ban following a second half dismissal in the same game. Yun Junseong is also available again, the former Sangju Sangmu centre back also served a one-match ban having picked up three yellow cards.

Bucheon have no suspensions of which to speak of but there no fewer than six players on two yellows, namely strikers Gong Minhyun and Willian Popp, defenders Lim Donghyeok and Park Kun as well as Lee Hyunseung, Moon Kihan and Jin Changsoo. A third would mean a one-match ban for the first game back after the World Cup break.

The Adversary

Jung Gabsuk's side currently sit in third place and just three points behind league leaders Seongnam. Quite like the two sides above them, namely Asan Mugunghwa and Seongnam, Bucheon have eight wins this far in 2018 but have lost five and drawn just twice.

Formation wise, Jung Gabsuk has tended to opt for a 4-2-1-3 formation with Popp, former Purple Lee Seunghyeon and Lee Kwangjae as the front three. Nilsen Jr. and Captain Moon Kikwan sitting in front of the back four.

Bucheon 1995 starting XI vs Suwon FC, R15

Who To Watch

Brazilian striker Willian Popp is, on his day, as good as any striker in the Korean second tier. When Bucheon announced that they had snapped up the former Busan IPark striker many believed that it was a very shrewd acquisition. Bucheon had just lost Waguininho to Suwon Bluewings and were in need of a match winner. someone with the ability to create something from nothing. Whereas Waguininho largely operated from the wing in a midfield four, Popp is an out-and-out striker and has everything; strong in the air, good feet, aggression, and is confident.

During his spell on the south coast with Busan Popp bagged 18 goals in 34 starts. This term, the 24-year-old has seven in 13 and is the league's joint top scorer. Popp has already scored against Citizen this term, the opening goal in the opening game of Bucheon's season, and so the Purples will have to be wary of him come Saturday evening.

Prediction

Daejeon won't have felt too disheartened by the 1-1 draw at home to Ansan Greeners but it won't have given them the necessary boost needed to tackle a side that possesses the qualities which Bucheon possess. Bucheon, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their win over Suwon that put an end to their mini sticky patch of form. The Purples do have the tendency to surprise but a home win seems like the most realistic outcome.

Bucheon 1995 3-1 Daejeon Citizen