The Korean K League season starts on Friday when defending champions Jeonbuk Motors host the Suwon Bluewings at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
Jeonbuk sealed their third straight South Korean top-flight title last season and will be looking to continue their eight-game undefeated streak from last season.
The Bluewings finished eighth last term but did manage to win the South Korean FA Cup and will have a dream start to the new season if they can topple the champions.
Both Jeonbuk and Suwon were in the Asian Champions League but neither managed a win before the competition was cancelled after two rounds, so will be keen to boost their confidence with a victory.
Jeonbuk Motors vs Suwon Bluewings predictions and betting tips
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
Defending champions to get off to a flyer
Jeonbuk clinched their third league trophy in a row last year on goals scored after finishing on 79 points, the same as runners-up Ulsan Hyundai, who last tasted top-flight success in 2005.
The Warriors will be hopeful of enjoying another successful campaign, and it is hard to look past a side who have lost just two of their previous 29 home K League 1 matches.
It is a fantastic record for Jose Morais’ men but they will need to be mindful heading into the encounter against Korean FA Cup holders Suwon, who finished eighth in 2019 and can be a real threat when on top of their game.
Jeonbuk are unbeaten in the last seven league meetings against the Bluewings and have suffered just three defeats in the last 16 head to head in all competitions.
Expect goals to kick off the new season
Jeonbuk showcased their attacking prowess last season when netting a league-high 72 goals and they have only failed to score in one of their last 16 home games in all competitions.
Ricardo Lopes, who topped the club’s scoring charts last term, has departed for Shanghai SIPG but a fine replacement has arrived in the shape of Lars Veldwijk, who joins from Sparta Rotterdam after netting 27 goals from 42 appearances.
Lee Dong-Gook, who continues to defy the odds at the grand age of 41, chipped in with nine goals last season and there is enough firepower in the squad to ensure supporters’ are entertained.
As for Suwon, Australia forward Adam Taggart is their main threat, having scored 20 times from 32 games in the previous campaign, and he will be spearheading the attack once again.
Jeonbuk to find the right gear
Interestingly, of the 72 goals that Jeonbuk scored en route to winning the title, 31 came in the first half and 41 after the break, suggesting they don’t let their focus drop at any stage.
This is why backing the hosts to net in both halves, which is one of the specials bet365 are offering on the game, looks to be a shrewd bet as they will be desperate to get their title defence off to the perfect start.
I am expecting a feisty affair between these two teams. There have been 10 red cards shown in the past 22 meetings, and this should be a lively encounter to start the campaign.
Jeonbuk Motors vs Suwon Bluewings odds
Jeonbuk Motors are 7/10 for the win, the draw 11/4 and Suwon Bluewings unfancied at 15/4.
Jeonbuk Motors team news
Jeonbuk Motors signed Gue-Sung Jo and Lars Veldwijk to replace Lopes and Shin-uk Kim and will likely start up front. Former Cardiff City midfielder Kim Bo-Kyung will start in midfield with former Bluewings defender Ja-Ryong Ku in defence.
Jeonbuk Motors squad: Song Bum-Keun, Choi, Chul-Soon, Hong Jeong-Ho, Kim Jin-Su, Choi Bo-Kyung, Kim Bo-Kyung, Han, Kyo-Won, Lee Seung-Ki, Lee Soo-Bin, Veldwijk, Kunimoto, Cho Kyu-Sung, Lee Sung-Yoon, Murilo, Lee Bum-Young, Kim Min-Hyeok, Ku Ja-Ryoung, Hyuk, Gue-Sung Jo, Shin-uk Kim
Suwon Bluewings team news
Australian stiker Adam Taggart will start up from but it remains to be seen if new signing Sulejman Krpic will start alongside him or on the bench. Doneil Henry will start in defence with Ku now lining up for Jeonbuk.
Suwon Bluewings squad: No Dong-Geon, Hong Chul, Min Sang-Gi, Henry, Myung Jun-Jae, Yeom Ki-Hun, Kim Min-Woo, Choi Sung-Geun, Lee Jong-Sung, Taggart, Kim Gun-Hee, Antonis, Han Eui-Gwon, Han Seok-Hee, Yang Sang-Min, Hyung-Mo, Krpic, Ko Seung-Beom, Krpic.
Last five K League 1 results
Jeonbuk Motors
1 Dec 19 Jeonbuk Motors 1 Gangwon W
23 Nov 19 Ulsan 1 Jeonbuk Motors 1 D
3 Nov 19 Daegu 0 Jeonbuk Motors 2 W
26 Nov 19 Jeonbuk Motors 1 Seoul 1 D
20 Oct 19 Jeonbuk Motors 3 Pohang Steelers 0 W
Suwon Bluewings
30 Nov 19 Sangju Sangmu 4 Suwon Bluewings 1 L
24 Nov 19 Jeju United 2 Suwon Bluewings 4 W
2 Nov 19 Suwon Bluewings 0 Seongnam 0 D
27 Oct 19 Incheon United 1 Suwon Bluewings 1 D
19 Oct 19 Suwon Bluewings 2 Gyeongnam 1 W
Jeonbuk Motors vs Suwon Bluewings: last five K League 1 meetings
28 Sep 19 Jeonbuk Motors 2 Suwon Bluewings 0
23 Jun 19 Jeonbuk Motors 1 Suwon Bluewings 1
9 Mar 19 Suwon Bluewings 0 Jeonbuk Motors 4
28 Oct 18 Jeonbuk Motors 2 Suwon Bluewings 0
23 Sep 18 Suwon Bluewings 0 Jeonbuk Motors 0
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário