K League 1 returned last week and offered up a plethora of goals, cards and excitement. As we step back into the reality of summer football in Korea, we should be able to expect more of the same this weekend. Seoul are eight points clear, Gwangju are still bottom – but a point better off – and Gangwon, Jeonbuk and Ulsan are all battling to keep in touch with top spot. Here’s what to expect in Round 17.
🗓️ Saturday, 11th July (19:30) KST
Gimcheon Sangmu vs. Bucheon FC 1995
Preview: Gimcheon will be looking to close the gap on the teams directly above them this weekend, and a win against Bucheon will certainly help. Bucheon sit two places and three points above their hosts, and a result for Gimcheon will drag Bucheon back into dangerous waters. Meanwhile, following a creditable draw away at Daejeon last weekend, confidence will be high in the Bucheon camp coming into this game. Historically, Gimcheon have the better record in this fixture, winning twelve games to Bucheon’s three, the last of which was in September 2015.
↩️ Previous meeting: Bucheon 0:2 Gimcheon (25th April 2026)
💡 Prediction: Gimcheon 1-1 Bucheon
🗓️ Saturday, 11th July (19:30) KST
Gwangju vs. Pohang Steelers
Preview: Following a good draw at home to Ulsan last weekend, the league’s bottom side face another difficult task this Saturday. Pohang head to Gwangju having picked up three points away at Anyang last weekend, managing to score three goals along the way. The visitors are second in the form table, having lost only once in their last five outings, whereas Gwangju haven’t won at home since their 2R victory over Incheon United in March. It’s been an uphill task all season for the men from Jeollanamdo, but last weekend proved that they haven’t given up. Pohang will go into the game strong favourites, and have won 21 meetings between these clubs, compared to Gwangju’s four.
↩️ Previous meeting: Pohang 1:0 Gwangju (22nd March 2026)
💡 Prediction: Gwangju 1-3 Pohang
🗓️ Saturday, 11th July (19:30) KST
Ulsan HD vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai
Preview: In what has been a clash of the titans for most of the last decade, this year both teams are looking to stay in touching distance of Seoul. Presently trailing in the standings, both sides will be looking to pick up a maximum this weekend and give their season a boost. Both teams failed to win last weekend — with Jeonbuk suffering a home defeat to the impressive Gangwon — and so any more slip-ups could see them fall out of title contention. Jeonbuk won the last meeting comfortably, and have a much better head-to-head history in this fixture. It’s been over a year since Ulsan bettered Jeonbuk, but current form is on their side.
↩️ Previous meeting: Jeonbuk 2-0 Ulsan (4th April 2026)
💡 Prediction: Ulsan 1-2 Jeonbuk
🗓️ Sunday, 12th July (19:30) KST
FC Seoul vs. Gangwon
Preview: Eight points clear and those around them dropping points. Is it too early to suggest this is Seoul’s year? If they can pick up a win this weekend, it could be as good as over. In their way are a Gangwon team that are atop the form table, with three wins and two draws from their last five outings. Seoul won the previous meeting between these two clubs in April, and have a far superior record in this game. Seoul have won twenty meetings to Gangwon’s ten, and the visitors’ last win in the capital was five years ago in April 2021. That said, Gangwon do well when they’re up against it, and proved that last weekend when they won 2-1 in Jeonju.
↩️ Previous meeting: Gangwon 1-2 Seoul (25th April 2026)
💡 Prediction: Seoul 2-2 Gangwon
🗓️ Sunday, 12th July (19:30) KST
Incheon United vs. FC Anyang
Preview: A historic first-ever league meeting between these clubs in Incheon Stadium comes at a time when both teams are desperate for a win. Incheon resumed their season last weekend with a 1-0 defeat in Seoul, while Anyang lost 3-2 at home to Pohang. Both teams are sitting in mid-table, but it’s a far from comfortable position as the gap to those below is shrinking. Anyang’s away form this year is impressive, having only lost once on the road. Incheon, meanwhile, have struggled at home, winning three of their eight home games. Earlier in the season, the Blue-Black won the only ever league meeting between these clubs, whilst Anyang picked up a 3-0 away win over Incheon in the Korea Cup in 2021.
↩️ Previous meeting: Anyang 0-1 Incheon (22nd March 2026)
💡 Prediction: Incheon 1-1 Anyang
🗓️ Sunday, 12th July (19:30) KST
Jeju SK vs. Daejeon Hana
Preview: Daejeon are looking increasingly troubled following a 2-2 home draw with Bucheon last weekend. This Sunday, they travel to Jeju to face a team that is looking to break into the top half of the table. Despite their league position, Jeju have won only once at home all season; however, the Tangerines have picked up seven points across their last five games. In comparison, Daejeon are winless in that time and have suffered three defeats. Jeju have a better history in this fixture, too, winning seven games to Daejeon’s four.
↩️ Previous meeting: Daejeon 0:1 Jeju (15th March 2026)
💡 Prediction: Jeju 1-1 Daejeon
English Coverage
All K1 and K2 games are available to stream on K League TV. The following games will be presented with English-language commentary:
TBC.
Leave a Reply