Preview: Incheon United vs Sangju Sangmu

With only four games to go until the end of the K League 1 season, Incheon United, bottom of the league, clash with Sangju Sangmu on Saturday afternoon in what is a super important match for both teams It's must-win for Incheon and mustn't lose for Sangju Sangmu with just six points separating the two teams.
(image via K League)

Last Time Out

Jeonnam Dragons 0-1 Sangju Sangmu

Sangju Sangmu recorded a vital but narrow victory last weekend against eleventh-placed Jeonnam Dragons. The game as a whole was pretty forgettable and highlighted why both sides are struggling at the bottom of the K League 1 table. The only goal of the game came half way into the second when former international midfielder Yoon Bit-garam fired home.

Highlights: here

Daegu FC 1-0 Incheon United

Despite numerous chances Incheon United couldn't find a way past Daegu last weekend and lost ground on their relegation rivals. The only goal of the game came early in the first half as Incheon defender Gordan Bunoza turned the ball into his own net. Following the goal, Incheon improved and dominated more or less the rest of the game, but couldn't find a way past Daegu keeper, Cho Hyun-Woo. Incheon had a goal disallowed, which maybe should have stood as replays were unclear if the ball was out of play. Certainly a point dropped here for Incheon.

Highlights: here

Previous Meetings

Incheon United and Daegu FC have played each other three times so far this season with the series currently in the favour of Sangju. Sangju have two victories winning 3-2 at home and 1-0 away earlier in the season. The third game ended 0-0 in August.

Incheon last beat Sangju at home at the end of last season 2-0, with Moon Seon-min and Kim Do-hyuk on the scoresheet that day.

Over the years Sangju and Incheon have played each other 36 times with Incheon edging the number of victories by sixteen to ten, with the other ten games ending in draws.

Team News 

Incheon United will have no players suspended for Saturdays game. But number of players are a booking away from a suspension including; Stefan Mugoša, Elias Aguilar, Kim Jin-aa and Lim Eun-soo.

Sangju Sangmu, also have no players suspended. They also like Incheon have a number of players a booking away from a one match ban.

Who To Watch

For Incheon United, upfront Stefan Mugoša has had a great debut season in the K League scoring sixteen goals to date. Behind him we have Korean international Moon Seon-min who is currently the top domestic goalscorer in the K League.

Moving into the midfield Costa Rican Elias Aguilar has also adapted quickly to life in the K League, although he was a little off last weekend.

Finally, 'keeper Jung San has cemented his number one shirt in the Incheon lineup and was unlucky last weekend not to pick up a clean sheet.

For Sangju Sangmu, moving forward their top goalscorer currently is Sim Dong-woon who has eight games so far this season but hasn't scored in over a month. Another dangerman moving forward is Yoon Bit-garam who scored the winner last weekend.

In midfield Kim Min-woo is a constant presence and was also involved this summer in the World Cup for South Korea.

Finally, at the back, recently a few players have rejoined their parent clubs and so Gwangju FC keeper Yoon Bo-sang has been the main man between the posts, and he has done a good job of late.

Prediction

Sangju Sangmu won for the first time in six games last weekend, whilst Incheon United have lost two on the bounce. Sangju have a six point cushion on bottom club Incheon, but only four points on eleventh placed Jeonnam. Therefore, ideally, both sides need to win this one.

Incheon at this point can't afford to lose again, and unlike last season they can't rely on draws now. Jørn Andersen's men will need to press forward and bring the game to Sangju, as the hosts know that a draw may be good enough. The lineup will be similar to most of the season with a 4-2-3-1 formation with flying wing-backs.

Overall, it could either be a wild end-to-end game with plenty of goals, or a cagey game with both sides trying to win on the counter attack. In the end I feel Incheon will take home the vital three points, maybe via a late winner.

Predicted Score: Incheon United 2-1 Sangju Sangmu