Gwangju vs Daegu

Gwangju Football Stadium plays host to a high-stakes K League 1 match-up between Gwangju and Daegu, with both teams’ playoff chances being on the line.

Gwangju must be feeling their playoff chances are slipping away after a tepid 0-0 draw at Jeju United in midweek K League 1 action condemned them to a third straight winless league match (D2, L1). But luckily for the hosts, their direct rivals have failed to take advantage of their recent slip-ups, as they commence this round level on points with 6th-placed Daejeon. Despite slumping to a 1-0 defeat to pacesetters Ulsan Hyundai in their most recent home league outing, Gwangju must be looking forward to the impending Gwangju Football Stadium return, as they had won three previous top-flight fixtures here on the trot. What’s even more impressive is that Lee Jung-hyo’s team netted 2+ goals in each of those three victories.

Meanwhile, Daegu shared the spoils with out-of-form Gangwon in a frustrating 0-0 home draw on Tuesday but still made it three successive league matches without losing (W1, D2). But the visitors must start winning more frequently to lock down a playoff berth, with 7th-placed Jeju United only two points adrift at the beginning of this round. Daegu’s indifferent away league record this season (W4, D3, L3) can hardly inspire much confidence, but four wins on their last six top-flight travels (L2) may do the trick. Choi Won-kwon’s men can still work out on their rather dismal first-half showings on the road after finding themselves in front at halftime in just one of their 11 away league games this term (HT: W1, D6, L4).