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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Saturday, May 16.

Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. FC Seoul

Preview: Daejeon were sucker-punched late on in Gangwon after an even contest for the first 87 minutes. Like every other club, Daejeon just can’t find a consistent run of form, collecting one point from their last three matches.

Seoul are back to winning ways after the most one-sided 1-0 win you’ll see all season versus Gwangju. Former Seongnam striker Ruiz grabbed the only goal just after half time. Seoul enjoyed over 60% possession and had 16 shots to Gwangju’s one.

Previous meeting: Daejeon inflicted the first defeat of the season on Seoul, winning 1-0.

Prediction: Daejeon Hana 1-1 FC Seoul.

Incheon United vs. Gwangju FC

Preview: Speaking of indifferent form, Incheon are now on a run of win-lose-draw-win-lose in their last five. They followed a huge win in Gimcheon with a 1-0 defeat to Pohang on Tuesday. They have 18 points after 14 matches, and a goal difference of 0.

Luckily for Incheon, their opponents on Saturday, Gwangju, are in absolutely terrible form. They’ve lost nine from ten, and while the narrow loss to Seoul on Tuesday looked respectable, they managed one shot and one corner in 90 grim minutes.

Previous meeting: A rare bright spot in a difficult season for Gwangju as they triumphed 3-2.

Prediction: Incheon United 3-1 Gwangju FC.

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Sunday, May 17.

Jeju SK vs. FC Anyang

Preview: Jeju are another K League 1 that just can’t go on a consistent run of form. They have lifted themselves from the bottom thanks to five wins in nine, but they still have six losses for the year.

Anyang made history on Wednesday with the quickest goal in K League. Choi Geon-ju’s strike 10 second goal was followed by two for Gimcheon, but Airton’s fifth of 2026 earned Anyang their eight draw in 14 matches.

Previous meeting: Anyang recorded their first win of 2026 against Jeju, 2-1.

Prediction: Jeju 2-1 Anyang.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Gimcheon Sangmu

Preview: Jeonbuk will be having nightmares about Bucheon. They lost to the new boys on matchday one and then failed to beat Lee Young-min’s despite despite Rodrigo Bassani’s 2nd minute red card.

Gimcheon made it eight draws in 14 against Anyang (who also have eight draws) to stay 10th. None of this really matters though; Gimcheon are heading to K League 2 anyway.

Previous meeting: They played out a 1-1 draw in March.

Prediction: Jeonbuk Hyundai 3-0 Gimcheon Sangmu.

Gangwon FC vs. Ulsan HD

Preview: Gangwon are back to winning ways following their 2-0 victory over Daejeon on Tuesday. Kim Dae-won grabbed another goal for the home side who continue to impress, despite a weird goalless draw in Gwangju last weekend.

I tipped Jeju to beat Ulsan in Munsu. I remain so unconvinced by the Tigers, and yet they’re second, three points off first. This will be a very difficult match for them in Gangneung. A draw would be a good result.

Previous meeting: Ulsan won the corresponding fixture 3-1.

Prediction: Gangwon 2-2 Ulsan.

Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Pohang Steelers

Preview: Bucheon produced a legendary performance to keep Jeonbuk out on Wednesday. A goal flurry was on the cards when Bassani walked inside 90 seconds, but the home team stayed resolute and hung on. Goalkeeper Kim Hyeong-keun was exceptional.

Pohang are now in the top four with three wins from four despite scoring less than one goal per match this season. And that’s with Lee Ho-jae who has grabbed six (50% of their total). Lee scored the only goal of the game in Sungui.

Previous meeting: The first-ever meeting between Bucheon and Pohang ended 0-0.

Prediction: Bucheon FC 0-1 Pohang.