Welcome to a new regular feature on Below The 38th where we preview an upcoming round in K League 1, talk about form, and offer a small prediction.

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Tuesday, May 12, 19:30

Gwangju FC vs. FC Seoul

Preview: Bottom meets top but, unusually, it is the 12th-placed club, Gwangju, who come into this in [very slightly] better form. Gwangju halted a gruesome eight-match losing streak with a badly needed point and clean sheet against Gangwon. Seoul were beaten in Jeju on Saturday. They have one point from the last nine available.

Previous meeting: Seoul hammered Gwangju 5-0 in March, a result which kickstarted Gwangju’s spiral to the bottom.

Prediction: Gwangju FC 0-3 FC Seoul

Incheon United vs. Pohang Steelers

Preview: Fourth plays fifth as two clubs with an identical recent record meet in Sungui. They were both victorious on the road over the weekend – and in fine fashion. Incheon strolled past Gimcheon 3-0 whereas Pohang departed Daejeon with a 2-0 win. Pohang are one point clear of Incheon.

Previous meeting: The sides drew 1-1 at the Steel Yard in March.

Prediction: Incheon United 1-1 Pohang Steelers.

Gangwon vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen

Preview: Gangwon dropped to sixth over the weekend after failing to beat Gwangju – or even manage a goal against the league’s worst defense. Daejeon also dropped down the league following their home loss to Pohang. That was a particularly damaging result after recent improvements.

Previous meeting: Gangwon stormed Daejeon last month, winning 2-0.

Prediction: Gangwon 2-1 Daejeon Hana

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Wednesday, May 13, 19:30.

FC Anyang vs. Gimcheon Sangmu

Preview: Anyang have lost just three times all season [joint fewest] and earned a first-ever point against Jeonbuk Hyundai on Sunday. That, though, was their seventh draw in 13 matches. Joint most. Who joins them on seven draws? Gimcheon, of course. It has draw written all over it.

Previous meeting: The teams drew 1-1 in April thanks to a very late, deflected goal by Gimcheon’s Park Cheol-woo.

Prediction: FC Anyang 1-1 Gimcheon Sangmu.

Ulsan HD vs. Jeju SK

Preview: Ulsan have followed back-to-back losses with back-to-back wins – because that’s what K league 1 is like this year. The 1-0 victory over Bucheon was gifted to them thanks to some truly awful defending. Jeju will fancy this one. They pushed Jeonbuk all the way, won a tense match in Bucheon, and then defeated the leaders Seoul. This should be a good match.

Previous meeting: Ulsan won the corresponding fixture 2-0 in Jeju.

Prediction: Ulsan 1-2 Jeju SK.

Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Preview: Bucheon have lost four from five – their only win in this period was away to Anyang. By no means playing terribly, they are dropping down the table, now in 11th. Jeonbuk were held in Anyang on Sunday afternoon, ending a run of three straight wins. Ulsan’s win over Bucheon hoisted the Tigers back to second at Jeonbuk’s expense.

Previous meeting: Jeonju was the scene of Bucheon’s greatest hour, when the newly promoted team beat the defending champions 3-2.

Prediction: Bucheon FC 1-3 Jeonbuk Hyundai