Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head into matchday 2 of the K-League season following a scrappy 1-0 win over Suwon Samsung Bluewings to kick off the season. Now, Jose Morais leads the reigning champions into the weekend and a trip south to play Busan IPark.
Busan IPark are coming off of a promotion-winning campaign in 2019. The excitement of promotion took a hit on matchday 1, however. Busan IPark fell 2-0 to Pohang Steelers away from home. The southern side conceded goals on either side of halftime.
Manager Cho Deok-je will hope for better from his side this time out and playing at home could help the club gain a victory. Playing against the reigning league champions, Busan IPark are likely to be in for a struggle.
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Jeonbuk completely controlled their fixture a week ago against Suwon Bluewings but were only able to get one goal. It is likely that with further training and the strangeness of a return behind closed doors behind them, that Morais’ team will be able to find the back of the net more times this weekend.
The Green Warriors’ ageless striker Lee Dong-gook scored the only goal against Suwon thanks to a header from a set-piece. Jeonbuk had pressed Suwon throughout the game and it took the second-half substitute to give the team an advantage.
Jeonbuk kept 60% of the possession against Suwon with five shots on target. The team’s defence did not concede any shots on target as goalkeeper Lee Beom-young had an easy night. Jeonbuk also tallied nine shots inside the 18-yard box.
Busan IPark’s attack could struggle for a second straight week after managing a mere one shot on target versus Pohang Steelers. They did tally 53% of the possession but are likely to concede the ball to Jeonbuk.
Despite Busan IPark only tallying one shot on target, they did combine for 13 total shots with six coming inside the penalty area.
Jeonbuk are undefeated in their last 12 away K-League matches. Morais’ side will feel confident of going away and claiming another victory to progress further toward another league title.
Busan IPark have been poor against the Green Warriors in recent seasons. They have lost eight of their last nine games against Jeonbuk in all competitions.
Saturday’s game should see Jeonbuk win for a ninth time in 10 matches versus Busan IPark. The home side should get on the scoresheet for the first time, but Jeonbuk will find the back of the net with more fluidity this weekend.
Expect a Jeonbuk win and over 2.5 goals scored as both clubs find the back of the net in Busan.