Gangwon vs Daejeon

Daejeon’s quest to secure a K League 1 playoff berth faces another challenging task as they head to the Chuncheon Songam Stadium to meet Gangwon.

Despite spurning a 1-0 halftime lead, Gangwon defied the odds to hold runners-up Jeju United to an enthralling 2-2 away draw last time out, only to extend their woeful winless league run to six matches (D2, L4). With only Gangwon (W2, D6, L8) and basement boys Suwon Bluewings mustering as low as two top-flight wins this season, the hosts’ bid to overcome an underwhelming seven-game league form on home turf (W1, D2, L4) looks far-fetched. A slow start would further derail their chances, as they’ve lost both home games in the 2023 K League 1 season when trailing at halftime. On a more positive note, they’ve emerged victorious in two of their last three home league meetings with Daejeon (L1).

As for Daejeon, last weekend’s embarrassing 3-1 home defeat to Incheon United deepened the crisis in the traveling camp, stretching their winless streak in all competitions to five games (D1, L4). Daejeon’s defensive woes saw them concede 3+ goals in three of those five fixtures, casting further doubt on their bid to return to winning ways on hostile turf for the first time since late April. Indeed, Lee Min-sung’s men are winless on their last four competitive travels (D2, L2), ominously letting in at least three goals on three occasions. A lack of the ‘bounce back’ ability has seen the visitors manage just two points on four top-flight road trips after conceding the opening goal this term (D2, L2), highlighting the significance of a strong start.