The 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into a handful of key races, perhaps even fewer, with the title race as good as sewn up. But what are the key matches in the key races this weekend? An alterna...
The 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into a handful of key races, perhaps even fewer, with the title race as good as sewn up. But what are the key matches in the key races this weekend? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 34, the last round before the split.
Don't miss theofficial K League 1 Round 33 previewhere...
Race for the Top 4
FC Seoul (5th) vs. Pohang Steelers (4th)
Saturday 18th October - 14:00 KST
A key match in the battle for fourth place, and potential qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite, sees FC Seoul host Pohang Steelers. Seoul return from the international break having drawn their last two on the trot, but are unbeaten in three, sitting just three points behind the Steelers in fourth. Pohang, meanwhile, appear to be out of the running for second place, with their form the third-worst in the division over the last five matches (one win, one draw, three losses).
The most recent meeting, also at Sangam and which saw Oberdan dismissed after 20 minutes, ended in a 4-1 Seoul win following goals from Lingard, Lucas Silva, Dugandzic, and Klimala. The contest pits together two teams that like to have possession of the ball, with Seoul second in that regard with 54.1% and Pohang third with 51.3%. Seoul, however, are second for xG with 51.7 and for shots on target per 90 with 5.3. Pohang, with a focal point like Lee Ho-jae, like to go long, hitting the highest number of long balls per match with 28.6.
One sublot will be the return to Sangam of Ki Sung-yueung, who left FC Seoul in the summer for more playing time. It will be the first time Ki, if selected, plays against FC Seoul. Ki has featured 10 times for the Steelers so far, registering one assist.
Watch live on K League TV [ENG]:here
Easing Relegation Worries vs. Race for Final A
Ulsan HD (10th) vs. Gwangju FC (7th)
Saturday 18th October - 14:00 KST
The Noh Sang-rae caretaker era for Ulsan HD will begin with the visit of Gwangju FC. Ulsan dismissed Shin Tae-yong earlier in the week, following a run of just one league win in eight, and with the team sitting in the bottom three. Ulsan have the second-worst form in the league over the last five matches with two losses and three draws, and are in need of a drastic upturn in form if they are to avoid being the first K League champions to suffer relegation the very next season. They face a Gwangju FC side that harbours hopes of finishing in the top six. While Gwangju's destiny is not in their own hands, Lee Jung-hyo will at least want his team to do what's required and get the three points. The Griffins must win and hope that Gangwon drop points against Daegu.
Ulsan will perhaps need to look to some of their foreign imports for inspiration, with Darijan Bojanic having created the most big chances for them, and Erick Farias having landed the most shots on target per match for the club. Gwangju have the third-best away form in the division, and are unbeaten against Ulsan in their last two meetings in all competitions. A win for Ulsan could move them out of the bottom three heading into the split, should Suwon or Anyang drop points above them.
Race for Top 4 vs. Avoiding Automatic Relegation
Daejeon Hana Citizen (3rd) vs. Jeju SK (11th)
Saturday 18th October - 14:00 KST
Daejeon's win over Pohang before the break has put the Purples in the driving seat for third place and likely qualification for AFC Champions League Elite. Hwang Sun-hong's men will be confident of making it four unbeaten with back-to-back wins this Saturday when a struggling Jeju SK visit. Jeju have the worst form in the league over the last five matches with four losses and one draw, and are in grave danger of being leapfrogged by Daegu if the Tangerines' form does not improve.
Jeju are only six points above 12th, with Daegu's upturn in form having seen the Sky Blues narrow the gap significantly. Daejeon, meanwhile, are the opposite, with a return to form and consistency coming at the right time. It will be seen as a must-win game for both teams, given their targets this season. Jeju will be without a number of first-team players through suspension: Lee Chang-min, Kim Dong-jun, and Song Ju-hun.
Category: General Sports
