Seongnam vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – K League 1, September 5, 2020

Jeonbuk looks to keep in touch with league leaders Ulsan as it travels north to take on a spirited Seongnam side whose position belies its performances this season.

The Magpies could put up quite a fight here and the reigning champions may not have everything their own way.

Although I don’t disagree with making Jeonbuk the favorite to take all three points on Saturday, I’m not completely sure about the length of the odds for a Seongnam victory. The Magpies have looked good this season and may prove a tougher task than the bookies believe. The odds for the draw could interest the more risky bettor.

Seongnam started the season off brightly under new manager Kim Nam-il and there were hopes that a new style of soccer would transform the club after its first campaign back in the top flight. That hasn’t quite happened, but a strong defense has meant that beating the Magpies is never an easy ask.

Although Seongnam has lost to most of the top sides in the league – including Pohang and Ulsan in the last two weeks – there was a 2-2 draw when these two met back in July. Seongnam even enjoyed a 2-0 lead at half time, so if it can work out how to keep the Green Warriors out on Saturday we could be in for an interesting game.

But trying to keep Jeonbuk from scoring is what just about every other side has failed to do this season. Even earlier in the year, when there wasn’t really a recognized goal scorer, the victories kept on rolling in – and the new arrivals in the summer have only bolstered the club’s chances of a record fourth successive title.

But after nine consecutive victories in all competitions, Jeonbuk did falter last weekend when it lost 2-1 at home to Gangwon. The 88^th minute equalizer from Han Kyo-won looked to have salvaged a point, before Kim Ji-hyun scored his second deep into stoppage time to grab a famous victory for the visitors. Jeonbuk manager Jose Morais will demand more concentration this week.

Although the odds for the other options are tempting, I don’t think Jeonbuk will make the same mistake two weeks running. Seongnam will force a tight game but the Green Warriors now have the firepower to break through the staunchest of defenses. This will be a close run thing but the points will depart with Jeonbuk.