Korean K-League
2020-05-22 - Pohang Steelers vs Seoul
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: South Korea: K League
Friday 22nd May 2020 - Kick Off 7:30pm
British Time: 11:30am
Preview
In the last two seasons the Pohang Steelers have barely missed out on a top three finish with the 2019 campaign ending with them missing out on the Asian Champions League on goal difference. The team that edged them out, Seoul, are the visitors on Friday and they will be looking to make better headlines than the ones they made this past weekend when it became clear they had been using 'sex dolls' in place of fans in the stands.
That boob, pardon the pun, was not missed by the viewers and Seoul had to deny all knowledge of doing something deliberately and merely suggested it was a gaff behind the scenes. It was clearly something that didn't bother the players too much though as Seoul secured a 1-0 home win over Gwangju to bounce back from an opening weekend defeat.
This club has been hard to read in recent seasons having barely avoided relegation in 2018 and then finishing 3rd in 2019. A poor second half of the campaign was not punished by the Steelers or Daegu, but it does mean there are one or two question marks about where this squad stands going into the 2020 season.
It might have been more difficult if Seoul were having to deal with Asian Champions League matches alongside their domestic League schedule, but the suspension of that competition means the full focus is on the K League. They ended last season with 2 wins from their last 14 games, but Seoul have won 3 of 4 games played in 2020.
Those wins have all come at home though and Seoul have won 1 of their last 9 away games while falling to defeat in 5 of those. Seoul have been beaten 3-1 at Gangwon in the opening K League fixture on the season and now have to face a Pohang Steelers team who have picked up 4 points from a possible 6 in the first two weeks of the 2020 season.
In the last two seasons Pohang Steelers have finished 4th both times, but they were punished for a slow start in 2019. A much faster start will be expected in 2020 so they can challenge for a place back in the Asian Champions League at the very least, although some Steelers fans might be even looking for a title challenge even after finishing 23 points off the lead last time out.
Pohang Steelers had a strong end to the season unlike Seoul, and that strong end saw them lose 1 of their last 14 games overall during which time they won 9 times. They beat Busan I'Park 2-0 here in their first game at the Steelyard Stadium this season and going back to last season the Steelers have won 6 of their last 8 games here.
Scoring goals has not been a problem for Pohang who have scored at least twice in 6 of their last 8 games at home.
Last season Pohang Steelers took four points from two home games against Seoul.
Prediction
Both of these clubs come into the 2020 season with increasing expectations, but the way the 2019 campaign ended suggests the Pohang Steelers should be playing with more confidence than Seoul.
The away form Seoul have been displaying is a real worry and they have already been beaten in their first game on their travels in 2020. On the other side Pohang Steelers have scored goals for fun at home and been winning plenty of games either side of the 2019 and 2020 season and I do think they can secure a narrow victory here.
I would recommend backing the home team on the Asian Handicap which would return half the stake in the event of a draw.
The Pick :
Pohang Steelers 2-1 Seoul
