Suwon vs Ulsan Hyundai

K League 1 pacesetters Ulsan Hyundai travel to the Suwon Sports Complex to meet Suwon in an exciting showdown.

After four consecutive league losses by an aggregate score of 12-2, Suwon finally returned to winning ways in K League 1 last time out with a 2-1 victory at Suwon Bluewings. But they haven’t won back-to-back league matches yet this season, so it’s unsurprising they sit three points below the playoff at the start of this round. Avoiding a slow start could be crucial for Suwon’s bid to take another significant three points, as they’ve suffered nine defeats in 11 league matches after conceding the opening goal this season (W1, D1). Worrying for manager Kim Do-kyun, his men have opened the scoring in just one of their last four home league outings (W1, L3), with all three defeats in this run coming ‘to nil.’

On the other hand, Ulsan Hyundai come into proceedings as comfortable league leaders, holding a substantial ten-point lead on second-placed Jeju United despite going winless in their last two league fixtures (D1, L1). A 2-0 defeat at Jeonbuk Motors on the previous matchday marked Ulsan’s first scoring blank in this K League 1 campaign. As the only side in the Korean top flight to hit a 30-goal landmark thus far (32), the visitors head into this clash seeking a fifth away league win of the season (W4, L2). Indeed, they’re the only team in the division yet to draw on the road in 2023, suggesting this encounter could go either way. Scoring first could make the difference because 50% of their away league games have seen the winner keep a clean sheet (3/6).