Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Pohang Steelers – K League 1, October 3, 2020

It is looking very unlikely that Pohang will qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League but a win here would keep that dream alive.

Jeonbuk has its sights on a fourth consecutive K League 1 title though – and will expect another three points at home this Saturday.

With continental soccer assured for next season there may be a slight slacking off for Pohang this weekend as it faces a team that is driving hard for the title. Even without that factor to take into account, these odds from Betway look about right. Jeonbuk is odds on to win but that still looks fairly good value for this team.

It was only a 1-0 win for Jeonbuk last week against a well-disciplined Sangju Sangmu side, but with Ulsan conceding a stoppage time goal against Daegu the title race has just gotten even more interesting. Now the Green Warriors are tied on points with the Horangi at the top of the table.

But Jose Morais’ men have scored eight goals fewer this season – and with that being the first tie-breaking factor, Jeonbuk will still need to play every game to win. Fortunately that is something that this team has been very good at this season, and after a minor blip at the start of September there have now been four games unbeaten in all competitions.

But if the points were really needed then it would probably be Pohang that would fancy its chances above all others to beat Jeonbuk in its own stadium. The Steelers were only narrowly beaten in both of the previous league games this season and has played with a steely determination throughout the campaign.

Top goal scorer Stanislav Iljutcenko nabbed a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Gwangju last weekend. He has been just one of the attacking stars for the side this season – along with Aleksandar Palocevic and Song Min-kyu – and Jeonbuk could be in for a tough game if they are all up for it on Saturday.

There are bound to be a few more twists and turns before the end of this fascinating K League 1 season. But I don’t think Jeonbuk dropping points at home will be one of them. I’m also not convinced that Pohang will not go out as usual and play to win. But the Green Warriors have the title on their mind now and that usually only ends up in one way.