Pohang Steelers vs Jeju United
Pohang Steel Yard is the venue as Pohang Steelers and Jeju United meet in a handsomely-looking K League 1 clash.
Pohang Steelers slumped to a dreadful 4-2 defeat at Gwangju last time out, ending a decent-looking run of four league games without losing (W2, D2). Pohang conceded as many goals in that loss as in their four previous K League 1 outings combined. But considering they’ve only lost once in their eight top-flight home matches this season (W5, D2), the hosts ought to take the field in a buoyant mood, especially after beating Jeonbuk Motors 1-0 in their most recent home fixture. However, the recent H2H fortunes at the Pohang Steel Yard cannot inspire much confidence, with Kim Gi-dong’s side alternating between drawing (2) and losing (2) in their last four home meetings with Jeju United in the Korean elite division.
Meanwhile, Jeju United’s bid to better last season’s fifth-place finish is on the right track after an eye-catching eight-game unbeaten league streak (W6, D2) catapulted them to second in the K League 1 standings. They bounced back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to hold Gangwon to an action-packed 2-2 home draw last time out, marking their fourth consecutive match in all competitions to see both teams on the scoresheet. Despite fumbling a late lead in a 1-1 stalemate at Seoul on their last league travel, Jeju can draw inspiration from an impressive five-match winning top-flight run on the road beforehand as they bid to secure back-to-back away league wins over Pohang for the first time in history.