Defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors welcome Suwon Samsung Bluewings to the Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Friday as the 2020 K League 1 campaign gets underway.
The South Korean top flight was scheduled to begin in February, but the coronavirus pandemic initially delayed the start of the new season.
However, having been given the all-clear by the government, the return of football in South Korea is just around the corner.
After winning five of the last six K League titles, Jeonbuk Motors understandably come into this game as favourites.
For those of you that are unaware, the reigning champions are managed by Jose Mourinho’s former assistant Jose Morais, who was with the “Special One” at Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Chelsea.
On the pitch, Seon-min Mun finished as the club’s top scorer last season with 11 goals and 11 assists to his name in all competitions.
Former Nottingham Forest striker Lars Veldwijk has also recently joined Jeonbuk. The South Africa international will almost certainly bring more goals to the team.
Despite their dominance in recent years, Jeonbuk only just clinched the title last season. They finished level with Ulsan Hyundai but triumphed thanks to their superior goal difference.
Meanwhile, Suwon Bluewings finished 8th last term. Managed by Lee Lim-saeng, Suwon amassed a total of 40 points with a record of W10/D10/L13.
Alongside Ulsan’s Junior Negao, Suwon’s star striker Adam Taggart finished as last season’s joint-top scorer in the K League.
The Australia international – who was once on Fulham’s books – netted 16 goals last term and will be hoping to pick up where he left off.
After scoring 12 goals in 18 appearances in the Bosnian top flight last season, new signing Sulejman Krpic will no doubt bolster Suwon’s attacking options.
This is set to be a fascinating opening game between two attacking teams, but it’s safe to say that Jeonbuk have the upper hand.
Jose Morais’ side haven’t lost to Suwon in the league since 2017. Since then, Joenbuk have won four and drawn three of their seven previous meetings with Suwon.
Furthermore, Jeonbuk have enjoyed a number of promising results since the turn of the year, enhancing their reputation as the best side in the land.
They secured friendly draws with Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow and Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia before competing in the Asian Champions League earlier in the year.
Suwon are likely to put up a fight, but this should be a fairly routine win for the reigning champions on the opening day.
Both teams are likely to find the back of the net, but Forebet predicts that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will score over 2.5 goals on their way to victory.