Ulsan Hyundai vs Jeju United

Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium forms the backdrop for a highly anticipated K League 1 clash between table-topping Ulsan Hyundai and fourth-placed Jeju United.

Ulsan Hyundai’s emphatic K League 1 campaign got back on the rails in midweek as they eased past bottom-half Suwon 3-1 to arrest a two-game winless league run (D1, L1), preserving a substantial 11-point lead on second-placed Pohang Steelers. As the only side in South Korea’s top flight yet to lose at home this season (W6, D2), they’re in a prime position to complete a league double over Jeju following a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture in April. Even though they drew 3-3 with Daejeon in their most recent home outing, the ‘Tigers’ added to their league-high 18-goal tally on home turf. Hong Myung-bo’s men often step up on the gas after the break, leading the K League 1 charts with 12 second-half goals at home.

Visiting Jeju United slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Pohang Steelers in midweek K League 1 action, escorting an eye-catching eight-game unbeaten league run (W6, D2) through the door. But after winning five straight away league games since the start of April, including four ‘to nil,’ the visitors have gone winless on their last two top-flight travels (D1, L1), conceding beyond the 80th minute on both occasions. Like Ulsan, Jeju’s attacking set-up usually sparks into life beyond halftime, with a clear majority (69%) of their away league goals this term coming in the second half of play (11/16). As such, it’s a little strange that they’ve lost three out of four top-flight away matches when conceding first (W1).