Gwangju vs Suwon Bluewings

Gwangju Football Stadium is the venue as K League 1 playoff hopefuls Gwangju encounter rock-bottom Suwon Bluewings in a lopsided league contest.

Gwangju’s mini-revival featuring back-to-back league wins following an underwhelming seven-game winless run (D3, L4) has reignited their hopes of securing a place in the K League 1 playoff. Only one point separates them from a coveted sixth spot at the start of this round, highlighting the importance of beating Suwon for the second time on the trot. But that could prove easier said than done, considering a 1-0 triumph in their most recent H2H marked Gwangju’s first league victory over ‘Bluewings’ after four consecutive winless encounters (D1, L2). Moreover, before a goal-glutted 4-2 home win over Pohang Steelers in their most recent home league outing, Lee Jung-hyo’s men had gone four straight top-flight matches at Gwangju Football Stadium without winning (D2, L2).

Meanwhile, Suwon Bluewings slumped to a 2-1 home loss over cross-city rivals Suwon last time out, extending their disappointing K League 1 form to three consecutive defeats. Nailed to the bottom of the standings as the only side in the Korean top division yet to hit a ten-point landmark this season (8 – W2, D2, L12), the future doesn’t look bright for the visitors. However, they can draw some confidence from the fact both their top-flight triumphs his season have come in their last three matches away from home (L1), with each coming ‘to nil.’ A slow start would likely render this showdown unwinnable, as they’ve lost four out of five league games on the road after trailing at halftime this season (D1).