Daejeon Hana Citizen vs Daegu

Daejeon World Cup Stadium forms the backdrop for a high-stakes K League 1 contest between Daejeon Hana Citizen and Daegu.

Daejeon’s rather unimpressive run of five successive K League 1 draws ended abruptly last weekend as they slipped to a disheartening 2-0 loss at the hands of high-flying Incheon United. Despite last winning a league fixture in early June, the hosts remain firmly in a playoff conversation, trailing 6th-placed Gwangju by a single point. However, under-pressure manager Lee Min-sung may not weather the storm unless his underachieving men arrest a dreadful five-match winless top-flight run on home soil (D3, L2). It could prove easier said than done against a Deagu side they’ve failed to beat across their last three K League 1 H2Hs at home (D1, L2), frustratingly drawing a blank in both defeats.

Meanwhile, the upcoming trip to the Daejeon World Cup Stadium could be just what the doctor ordered for Daegu as they bid to stretch a four-match undefeated K League 1 streak (W1, D3) and consolidate their playoff pursuit. With only three points separating the sides ahead of the kick-off, Daegu cannot afford another slip-up after taking home only two points from their last three top-flight road trips (D2, L1). Daegu’s overall away form has flattered to deceive, as evidenced by their indifferent tally of four wins from 12 K League 1 fixtures on hostile turf this season (D4, L4). Coach Choi Won-kwon wouldn’t mind a bit more urgency from his side in the early exchanges after overseeing just five first-half away goals in 2023.