The K-League moves into matchday 5 with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors atop the division’s table with nine points from 12 possible. The Green Warriors are coming off of a shock 1-0 defeat to Gangwon away from home.
Can Jeonbuk get back to winning ways versus seventh-placed FC Seoul? The capital club are hot and cold with six points from 12 possible taken this term. FC Seoul are also coming off of a 1-0 loss on matchday 4 as they fell to Seongnam at home.
FC Seoul’s loss to Seongnam ended a two-match winning streak which saw the Red Devils defeat Gwangju and Pohang Steelers. Saturday’s early kickoff will show whether or not FC Seoul are true K-League title contenders this season.
A win for the capital club would put them level on points with Jeonbuk in a congested upper half of the table. Unfortunately, FC Seoul’s record versus Jeonbuk over the course of their last six matches in all competitions is not good.
Jeonbuk have won five of their last six games versus FC Seoul with three of those victories coming to nil. FC Seoul’s only positive result versus Jeonbuk came last season as they managed a 1-1 draw away from home.
In 2019, FC Seoul and Jeonbuk met four times overall. The Green Warriors posted a 3W-1D-0L record outscoring FC Seoul 9-4. Games between the two clubs have been fiery with 18 yellow cards and two red cards handed out over the course of their last six matches. Both red cards went to FC Seoul players.
The last two matches played between the clubs ended with under 2.5 goals scored. That trend is likely to continue this weekend as there have been under 2.5 goals scored in seven of Jeonbuk’s last eight K-League matches.
Goalscoring has not been abundant in the K-League after four matchdays. Forty-eight goals have been tallied over all for an average of 12.0 per matchday. There is an average of just 2.0 per game each matchday.
Jeonbuk have tallied a mere five goals while FC Seoul have scored four times in four matches. Saturday’s early kick off will be a low-scoring affair and the two clubs should see under 2.5 goals as the Red Devils leaky defence (five goals conceded) lets Jeonbuk into to the net.
How good have Jeonbuk been versus FC Seoul in recent seasons? The Green Warriors have won their last five away matches versus FC Seoul in all competitions. Expect Jeonbuk to go away to Seoul World Cup Stadium and claim a narrow win to move six points clear of the Red Devils.