K League 1 Round 23: Analysis and Predictions

August 14, 2026

K League 1 Round 23: Analysis and Predictions

Seoul’s lead is cut to seven, Ulsan have three wins in a row and Pohang are in a sorry state. With important games at the top and bottom of the table this weekend, who will be able to take advantage?

🗓️ Saturday, 15th August (19:30 KST)

FC Seoul (1st) vs. Daejeon Hana (9th)

Preview: Seoul are stuttering after looking solid all season, while Daejeon are finding form and putting a run together. This is a game with huge implications for both teams’ seasons. With Seoul’s lead cut to seven points and Ulsan gaining momentum, a win for Seoul this weekend will reaffirm their position as champions-elect. Should they fail to pick up three points on Saturday, Jeonbuk and Ulsan will go into their Sunday games with further impetus. Daejeon, meanwhile, have lost only once in five and are pushing away from the bottom of the table towards Final A. Though Seoul hold the better head-to-head record overall, Daejeon picked up a win in this fixture back in April—a result Daejeon boss Hwang Sun-hong will be hoping to repeat. A sustained mid-season rally could prove crucial if the Citizens are to challenge for continental qualification come the end of the year.

↩️ Previous meeting: Daejeon 1-2 Seoul (16th May)

💡 Prediction: Seoul 2-1 Daejeon

🗓️ Saturday, 15th August (19:30 KST)

Gwangju (12th) vs. Pohang Steelers (8th)

Preview: With five defeats on the bounce, Pohang have swung from the best form in the league to the worst. On paper, a trip to bottom-side Gwangju looks like the ideal remedy, especially given their comprehensive win in the reverse fixture and Gwangju’s solitary victory all year. However, the hosts have quietly shored up their defence, and with recent additions like the impressive Ri Yong-jik settling in, a Gwangju turnaround feels more plausible than it has all season.

↩️ Previous meeting: Gwangju 0-3 Pohang (11th July)

💡 Prediction: Gwangju 1-0 Pohang

🗓️ Saturday, 15th August (19:30 KST)

Jeju (5th) vs. FC Anyang (6th)

Preview: Jeju come into this game on a seven-game unbeaten run, dating back to the last time they faced their opponents this weekend. Anyang won 2-1 that day, and have managed to put together the third-best away record in the division. Anyang have also managed to beat Jeju in four of their five K League 1 meetings since their promotion two years ago. Despite this, Jeju will be looking to build on a run that has seen them claim victories against Pohang, Gwangju and Jeonbuk in recent weeks. As for Anyang, they will be looking to halt a run of back-to-back defeats following losses to Ulsan and Daejeon.

↩️ Previous meeting: Jeju 1-2 Anyang (17th May)

💡 Prediction: Jeju 2-0 Anyang

🗓️ Sunday, 16th August (19:30 KST)

Bucheon (11th) vs. Jeonbuk (3rd)

Preview: There were protests down in Jeonju following Jeonbuk’s defeat to Jeju last weekend, and the Mad Green Boys’ boys will need to be on top form this weekend when they face a team they have taken only one point from so far this season. Bucheon won on their K League 1 debut at the home of the champions, and followed that up with a strong point against Jeonbuk in their second meeting. Despite this, Bucheon have managed only one home win all season, and this will be a tough game for the home side. Jeonbuk will be looking for a win to keep alive any hopes of retaining their title, and any further dropped points could lead to a full revolt from the travelling fans.

↩️ Previous meeting: Bucheon 0-0 Jeonbuk (13th May)

💡 Prediction: Bucheon 1-3 Jeonbuk

🗓️ Sunday, 16th August (19:30 KST)

Incheon United (7th) vs. Gimcheon (10th)

Preview: With two wins from two against Gimcheon this season, Incheon will be looking to make it a clean sweep this weekend at Sungui Arena. Gimcheon come into the game unbeaten in four, and have taken points from Pohang, Daejeon, and Seoul in recent weeks. A win for Incheon should see them move back into the top half of the table as they look to maintain their push for a Final A finish. It is also worth noting that Incheon should have the fresher legs, having sat out last weekend’s round of games.

↩️ Previous meeting: Gimcheon 0-3 Incheon (9th May)

💡 Prediction: Incheon 2-1 Gimcheon

🗓️ Sunday, 16th August (19:30 KST)

Ulsan HD (2nd) vs. Gangwon (4th)

Preview: Ulsan have gone from looking dead and buried to being right back in the title picture in just a few weeks. With three wins from three and scoring for fun, the Horangi now have the second-best form in the division. Gangwon come into this game on the back of an AFC Champions League Elite play-off defeat in midweek that went to extra time. That defeat was their fourth straight loss; a run that has seen them drop further out of title contention. With a lack of squad depth and that extra 120 minutes in their legs, things could be difficult for them at the Munsu on Sunday evening.

↩️ Previous meeting: Gangwon 2-0 Ulsan (17th May)

💡 Prediction: Ulsan 2-2 Gangwon

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:

Posted in: Featured, K League 1

Posted in: K League 1