Pathum United vs Ulsan Hyundai
Pathum United and Ulsan Hyundai will lock horns at the Thammasat Stadium in their final AFC Champions League Group F encounter.
Pathum United pulled off a tight 1-0 away victory over Kaya last time out, extending their winning Champions League run to three matches. In fact, the ‘Rabbits’ have won four of their five group stage games this season, barring a 2-0 away loss to Ulsan Hyundai in the reverse fixture on Matchday 2. The clean-sheet theme has highlighted Pathum United’s Champions League games so far this season, with three of five seeing the winner on the day record a shutout. There’s no pressure on the hosts to deliver here whatsoever, as they will play in the knock-outs as Group F runners-up regardless of what happens here. Yet, Aurelio Vidmar’s men can draw confidence from going unbeaten in their last 15 home matches in all competitions (W12, D3).
On the other hand, the visitors are enthusiastic about the prospect of completing their group stage campaign with a 100% win rate, having won their opening five Champions League games by an aggregate score of 11-1. Interestingly, the Korean giants have won both of their group stage matches on the road ‘to nil,’ scoring precisely one second-half goal on each occasion. The ‘Tigers’ have enjoyed a notable upturn in form ahead of the kick-off, going from three consecutive road trips without winning (D2, L1) to four away triumphs in a row, three of which saw them score 2+ goals. Scoring first could prove decisive here, especially considering that six of Ulsan’s last nine competitive away fixtures have seen one or both sides fail to get on the scoresheet.