Key Matches in the Key Races: Alternative K League 1 Round 34 Preview

The 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into several key races, even with the title race sewn up already. But what are some of the key matches in the other key races this weekend? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 34, the first round of the 'split.'

Don't miss the official K League 1 Round 34 preview here...

Race for Runner-up Spot

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (2nd)

Saturday 25th October - 14:00 

With the title sewn up, Gus Poyet says that the focus is now on the Korea Cup and completing the double. But this doesn't mean that his players will be lifting the foot off the gas in Final A; bad news for the likes of Gimcheon and Daejeon, who are both targeting second place. It is Gimcheon who Jeonbuk face next, and it is Gimcheon who sit second but only just, having lost 4-1 last time out to see their lead over third dwindle to just goals scored (53-48). The Anyang defeat will have come as a shock to the system, and perhaps a wake-up call that focus is needed for the last five matches. While Gimcheon can't qualify for ACL, what is up for grabs is an army side record finish and bettering last year's third place. Gimcheon were victorious when they visited Jeonju Castle just a few weeks ago, with goals from Kim Seung-seob and Park Sang-hyeok. The army side recorded an xG of 2.82 on that occasion, limiting Jeonbuk to just 0.88. Both have been dangerous in front of goal in recent weeks, for Gimcheon the Anyang loss aside, with 15 goals between them over their last five outings. 

Watch live K League TV [ENG]: here

[READ: Where to watch the K League run-in]

Race for AFC Champions League qualification

FC Seoul (5th) vs. Gangwon FC (6th)

Sunday 26th October - 14:00 

Both teams were in ACL action in midweek, and both will be hopeful of qualifying for the competition next year, too, albeit with work to be done to make up a significant points gap with the top four. Sunday's meeting in the capital will be a good chance for FC Seoul and Gangwon FC to lay down a marker and set the tone for the rest of Final A - a positive start might just provide the momentum they both need. FC Seoul are without a win in three, while Gangwon are without a win in four. Seoul will need to improve their home form, having won just six from 17 home matches this season. Gangwon's away from is slightly better than how they've fared at home, with seven wins to six, but haven't beaten Seoul in the capital in the league since April 2021, nine visits ago. Gangwon earned all three points when these two teams met in September. Just a point and a place separate the two sides heading into Round 34, a win for either could begin to close the gap with the top four.

Watch live K League TV: here

[READ: Jeonbuk win K League 1 title]

Relegation Battle

Ulsan HD (9th) vs. Daegu FC (12th)

Sunday 26th October - 14:00

Back-to-back wins under caretaker manager Noh Sang-rae have changed the complexion of Ulsan's current situation. The Horangi are out of the bottom three in the league, and earned another win with a clean sheet in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday. Any suggestions that this K League juggernaut was destined for a similar fate to Jeonbuk and Suwon Bluewings have been quelled for now. Perhaps a sterner test will be the visit of Daegu FC, a side that is fighting for its life. Daegu have shown great character over the last couple of months to reduce the gap to just five points, giving the Sky Blues a genuine chance of at least avoiding automatic relegation. Kim Byung-soo's men are now on a run of just one loss in seven with three wins. Daegu have fared fairly well in this fixture, too, having earned two draws, one of which - a 2-2 draw at the Munsu - saw them level late on through Cesinha, who has three goals in three matches against Ulsan this season.

Watch live K League TV: here

[INTERVIEW: Daejeon's Ishida Masatoshi]

Worth a mention...

Suwon FC (10th) vs. Jeju SK (11th)

Saturday 25th October - 16:30

Another big, big fixture at the bottom end of the table sees 10th host 11th. Suwon FC will welcome Jeju SK to Castle Park, having slipped back into the bottom three following the loss to Jeonbuk last time out. Jeju suffered yet another defeat, and with Daegu earning a point at home to Gangwon, the Islanders are now only five points clear of 12th place with five games to go. Saturday's clash is huge for both teams; a win for Suwon could see them climb out of the bottom three again, while Jeju, with Daegu not playing until the following day, could move eight points clear to pile the pressure on the Sky Blues. Jeju won the first two meetings of the season, both 1-0, while the most recent ended in a 4-3 Suwon FC win and a match that has become known for the four Jeju red cards.

Where to Watch

Watch all matches live and for free on TV.KLeague.com. English commentary provided where indicated.

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