Korean K-League
2020-05-24 - Ulsan vs Busan I Park
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: South Korea: K League
Sunday 24th May 2020 - Kick Off 7pm
British Time: 11am
Preview
After a number of years spent in K League 2, Busan I'Park were able to get the better of rivals Gyeongnam in the Relegation Play Offs last season to earn their place back in the top flight. The opening fixture list could have been much kinder to the newly promoted club and Busan I'Park will be facing a third straight opponent that finished in the top four in 2019.
It is perhaps not a major surprise that Busan I'Park have lost both games to Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Motors and the team who struggled defensively in 2019 have conceded at least two goals in both defeats. However Busan I'Park pushed the Champions Jeonbuk Motors all the way in a narrow defeat last weekend and will be looking to build on that when visiting Ulsan.
Busan I'Park have now become one of three teams that have lost both opening League games in 2020 and have to play at Ulsan who have scored seven goals in winning both games they have played. After a late collapse prevented the club from winning their first League title since 2005, fans will at least be happy that Ulsan have begun this season with a positive frame of mind as new investments to strengthen the squad have been made.
They had an element of fortune to still be unbeaten and with a 100% record to boot as Ulsan needed to come from 2-0 down to beat Suwon Bluewings 2-3 in their last game this past weekend. That follows a much more convincing 4-0 win over Sangju Sangmu and Ulsan are at least returning home this week where they are strong favourites to win this fixture.
Ulsan have lost 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions going back to last season, but it was the 1-4 home loss to Pohang Steelers which cost them the title. That will haunt the club unless they can make amends in 2020 and Ulsan will also be looking to build some momentum at home having failed to win any of 3 games here before beating Sangju Sangmu on the opening weekend of the season.
That 3 game run came against some of the better teams they could face though and it is not necessarily the case this week.
As well as Busan I'Park played in their loss to Jeonbuk Motors, the defeat and the effort needed might make them a touch vulnerable. They had been unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions before the two defeats in the K League, but Busan I'Park have conceded at least twice in 5 of their last 9 games.
Those defensive vulnerabilities have to be a major concern for Busan I'Park going into this season as they look to find the correct balance to avoid an immediate return to the second tier of South Korean Football. Busan I'Park had been unbeaten in 9 away games before losing to the Pohang Steelers, but the step up in level has to be a concern for them especially as they have conceded at least twice in 5 of their last 8 on their travels and the majority of those games coming against K League 2 opponents.
Ulsan have a long unbeaten record at home against Busan I'Park but half of the last 8 games here between these clubs have ended in draws. That includes a goalless draw in the Cup in 2017.
Prediction
Some of the layers think this may be a straight forward win for Ulsan, but the home team are going to have to work hard to see off Busan I'Park.
The newly promoted club have far from disgraced themselves in losing to two of the 2019 top four clubs to open the 2020 season. However they are conceding too many goals and Busan I'Park are now having to deal with an Ulsan team who have scored seven times in two League games.
Ulsan needed some luck to win last weekend though as they came from 2-0 down to secure the three points, while they had a poor end to 2019 with those negative home results costing them a first title since 2015. They have played with confidence to open this season though and there has been no sign of a hangover which suggests Ulsan will be too strong and can be backed on the Asian Handicap to just about cover here.
The Pick :
Ulsan 2-0 Busan I Park
