K-League: Wounded Warriors Seek Easy Win over Struggling Seongnam

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Seongnam FC

Jeonbuk Motors’ impressive run of five consecutive wins finally came to an end after losing away to high-flying Sangju Sangmu. That defeat cut the Warriors’ lead over title rivals Ulsan to just one point.

But the defending K-League champions will have the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways as they take on struggling Seongnam FC.

The Magpies are now second-from-bottom in the standings after going winless in their last six matches. And the K-League 2020 betting odds will once again be heavily against Seongnam as they head to the home of the champions.

Talking Points

Jeonbuk’s defence doing a great job

Jeonbuk’s five-match winning run finally came to an end after losing away to Sangju Sangmu. The champions had a golden opportunity to take the lead after they awarded a penalty on 54 minutes, but 41-year-old captain Lee Dong-Gook failed to convert.

Sangju were awarded a penalty of their own on 77 minutes, and Sang-Woo Kang made no mistake as the military men handed Jeonbuk their second loss of the season.

Jeonbuk manager Jose Morais will need to make a change at the back after left-back Kim Jin-Su was sent off late in the match against Sangju.

That Jeonbuk backline has been the best in the league. They’ve given up just five goals through the first 10 games of the season, two fewer than second-placed Ulsan. And of those five goals, only three have come from non-penalties.

That excellent defence has helped make up for the fact that Jeonbuk’s attack has not been nearly as prolific. They have scored 15 goals thus far, fourth in the league behind Ulsan, Daegu, and Pohang.

With foreign striker Lars Veldwijk (one goal in 10 games) failing to make an impact, Jeonbuk have decided to bring in Brazilian forward Gustavo. Although, it’s unlikely that he will start right away against Seongnam.

That means veteran Lee Dong-Gook will likely be tasked to lead the line. The 41-year-old has four goals in his seven appearances.

Meanwhile, Han Kyo-won has also helped shoulder much of the scoring load. The 30-year-old winger also has four goals, all of which he scored in the last five games prior to their loss to Sangju.

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Premier League

Seongnam still can’t score goals

Seongnam’s struggles continue. After two wins and two draws in their first four games of the season, the Magpies have fallen to second from bottom in the table after recording K-League 2020 results of five losses in their last six games.

They were thrashed 4-0 last time out by Pohang Steelers, which is their heaviest defeat of the season to date.

Seongnam actually played decently according to the statistics. They had 56 per cent of possession and even outshot Pohang, 11-10. But their defence, which was missing both Choi Ji-Moog and Lee Chang-Yong due to suspension eventually succumbed to the Steelers.

Prior to that defeat to Pohang, Seongnam’s defence had actually done relatively well. The most goals they’d conceded in a game was two, and that’s only happened twice in 10 games.

It’s the attack that’s led Seongnam down this year. They’ve scored just six goals in their first 10 games — the second-fewest in the league behind bottom club Incheon United — and just once over their last five matches.

Newcomer Yang Dong-hyen has done his part with three goals this season, but it hasn’t nearly been enough. Foreign striker Tomislav Kis was expected to be a significant contributor, but he has struggled to settle at all this season; the Croatian has just one goal in five games and has yet to even make a single start.

History

Jeonbuk have had the upper hand over Seongnam in recent years. They’ve won eight of their last 12 meetings, with Seongnam winning just once. That came all the way back in 2015.

Jeonbuk are unbeaten in the seven matches since, with four wins and three draws. Their home record against Seongnam has been particularly impressive. They’ve won seven of the last nine home games against the Magpies, with only one loss and one defeat.

Although, Jeonbuk needed a 90th-minute equaliser to deny Seongnam a rare away win in their most recent meeting in August.

Betting Tip

	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Seongnam FC	Under 2.75 Goals @ 1.80
	July 11, 18:00 (GMT+8)

Unsurprisingly, SBOBET odds have Jeonbuk priced as massive favourites at 1.36 to pick up a home win. Seongnam have astronomical 8.25 odds to pull off the massive upset, while a draw is 4.40.

All signs point to a Jeonbuk victory, but the value lies more in the over-under market. The line is currently set at 2.75 goals, but I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring affair.

The combination of Jeonbuk’s excellent defence — one which has yet to concede a goal at home in four matches — and Seongnam’s toothless attack makes it unlikely that there are any goals on that end of the pitch.

And on the other end, Jeonbuk’s attack is unlikely to blow the doors off what has been a competent Seongnam defence.

Jeonbuk have won three of their four home games by a single goal, and they will be more than satisfied with a similar result against Seongnam.