Preview: Incheon United vs Suwon Bluewings

Relegation battlers Incheon United will be looking to defeat Suwon Bluewings at home for the first time in six years in order to keep their K League survive bid alive. Suwon, however, will be hoping to build on recent improvements in form ahead of their upcoming FA Cup Final.

Last Time Out

Seongnam FC 0 - 1 Incheon United

Incheon were able hang for a vital three points this past Saturday on the road against Seongnam FC. Both halves played out in a similar way with Seongnam edging the possession and chances for the entire ninety minutes. However a combination of strong defending for Incheon and slightly poor attacking from Seongnam meant the hosts were unable to make the most of their openings. Incheon scored the only goal of the game sixteen minutes from time via a Stefan Mugosa free-kick, his fourteenth goal of the season. The low strike flashed under the wall and into the bottom corner. The win moved Incheon headed of Gyeongnam in the table. Whilst Seongnam still need a couple of points to confirm safety.

Suwon Bluewings 2-1 Gyeongnam FC

Suwon Bluewings picked up their first league win in seven games as they battled back to beat relegation strugglers Gyeongnam at the Suwon World Cup Stadium. Gyeongnam took the lead partway into the first half via a VAR awarded and Đerić converted penalty. However, just before half time the VAR gods handed Suwon a lifeline and Adam Taggart coolly converted. In the second half it seemed like a draw would be the likely outcome until Yeom Ki-hun popped up at the far half to hand Suwon the lead and in the end the win. On a sad note only 3,353 paying fans were in attendance last Saturday, but fingers crossed more turn up for the FA Cup final in a few weeks time.

Previous Meetings

Incheon United and Suwon Bluewings clashed at the end of March with Suwon picking up a 3-1 victory at the Suwon World Cup Stadium. In July Suwon also won this time 3-2. Then in August Incheon turned the tables and picked up a 1-0 win on the road.

Incheon last beat Suwon at home all the way back in December 2013, with Lee Hyo-gyun scoring a late winner that day. Suwon beat Incheon away earlier this season winning 3-2 thanks mainly to an Adam Taggart brace.

Over the years Incheon and Suwon have played each other forty-six times with the victories dominated by Suwon winning twenty-seven to Incheon's six. The only thirteen games have ended in draws.

Team News

Incheon United Manager Yoo Sang-chul has been suffering from an illness since last weekend and might not be in the dugout this weekend. However, Incheon won't be forced into making too many changes from their winning eleven. Australian Defensive Midfielder Rashid Mahazi is suspended after picking up his third booking of the season last weekend.

Incheon will probably recall defender Gordan Bunoza to the starting eleven as the fan-favourite returned as a late sub last weekend against Seongnam.

Suwon Bluewings have no players suspended for this game on Sunday afternoon.

Adversary

Suwon Bluewings won this past weekend which was, as already mentioned, their first league win in seven. Their drop in form cost them a spot in the top half of the K League table and therefore their remaining league games are more for pride than anything else.

Heading into Sunday's game against Incheon they know they have nothing much to play for in the league at this point. They can't finish above seventh and can't be drawn into the relegation battle. However, they have an FA Cup final coming up early next month so fitness and staying injury-free will be priorities.

Watch out for Australian forward Adam Taggart. His seventeen goals during his debut K League season has been rewarded with a recall to the national team. He's already scored four against Incheon so far this season as well. 

Who To Watch

Incheon United's current top scorer is in-form forward Stefan Mugoša who has fourteen goals to his name so far this season, including nine in his last seven K League games. He is the main threat and basically only dangerman that Incheon have at the moment.

Moving into the midfield, U22 International Kim Jin-ya has recently moved from wing-back to attacking winger and has looked at home in a more attacking role. He is full of energy and can create some dangerous openings for Incheon.

Finally at the back, keeper Lee Tae-hee produced a fantastic performance last weekend keeping a clean sheet and making the K League Best XI. With normal first-choice keeper Jeong San out for the rest of the season he has certainly stepped up at the right time.

Prediction

Incheon come into this game undefeated in five and following a hard earnt three points away against Seongnam FC. Suwon, on the other hand have only one win in seven and are playing to finish at best seventh. Plus with an FA Cup Final on the horizon for Suwon, Incheon will be the side with much more to play for and a lot more to lose.

Overall, Incheon are the form side coming into this game, but didn't play that well despite beating Seongnam last weekend. Suwon might give a few squad players a run out which could play in Incheon's favor. In the end I see Incheon pushing hard and picking up another vital three points and a long overdue home win over Suwon.

Predicted Score: Incheon United 2 - 1 Suwon Bluewings