Korean K-League2
2020-05-23 - Jeju United vs Daejeon Hana Citizen
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: South Korea: K League 2
Saturday 23rd May 2020 - Kick Off 4pm
British Time: 8am
Preview
There would have been plenty of people expecting the Jeonnam Dragons to make an immediate return to the K League in 2019 following relegation, but this is becoming a highly competitive Division. This season it is Jeju United who have dropped out of the K League and considered the favourites to earn promotion, but a single point has been earned through the first two weeks of the season to underline the kind of challenge that is in front of them.
This weekend they take on another club who are expected to push for promotion throughout the 2019 season when Jeju United host Daejeon Hana Citizen who twice came from behind to earn a home point last week. That means Daejeon have earned four points so far this season and a club that has invested plenty in the personnel this off-season and Hana Citizen have scored two goals in both League games played.
There was an element of fortune in Daejeon Hana Citizen earning a point last week, while they needed a late winner to see off Suwon on the opening weekend of the 2020 season. Even with the huge investment made it is going to take a little time for the squad to gel together and that might be the biggest factor against Daejeon when it comes to earning promotion at the end of the campaign.
Daejeon have now lost 1 of their last 14 games going back to last season and that is a mark that has to be respected, especially with an improved squad this time around. Winning away from home at Suwon will give the team belief though as they had only finished with a 5-7-6 mark away from home in 2019 during which time Daejeon Hana Citizen had scored 19 goals and conceded 20.
The side are unbeaten in 7 away League games and Daejeon have won 3 of their last 4 on their travels. Scoring goals has not been much of a problem of late for Daejeon Hana Citizen who have managed to hit two or more in 4 of their last 5 away League games ahead of this trip to Seogwipo.
A defeat at Jeonnam Dragons was a blow for Jeju United a week after drawing 1-1 with Seoul E-Land at home, but this is a team who deserved a lot more than they got last week. Relegation would have hit hard, but the squad has enough talent within it to think they can operate much further up the League table, although Jeju United need to arrest the poor start as soon as possible.
Jeju United have won just 1 of their last 10 games overall going back to last season when they were playing in the K League. The home form really let the side down in their relegation campaign of 2019, but Jeju United have won 2 of their last 5 games here and they have also found goals in recent outings with at least two scored in 3 of their last 5.
This will be the first time these two clubs are meeting at Jeju United since 2015 when both were playing in the K League. On that occasion it was Jeju United who came away with a comfortable win.
Prediction
Both Jeju United and Daejeon Hana Citizen are expected to be amongst the leading teams chasing promotion to the K League at the end of 2020, but it is the visitors who have made the better start to the campaign.
A hangover from relegation is perhaps affecting the Jeju United players, but they should have gotten much more from the loss to Jeonnam Dragons than what they were rewarded with.
I do think this team will turn things around in 2020, although they need to start producing on the pitch as soon as possible to prevent falling too far away.
You have to respect the results Daejeon Hana Citizen have earned, but they were far from convincing last week and I think Jeju United will edge them out. I would back the home team on the Asian Handicap here.
The Pick :
Jeju United 2-1 Daejeon Hana Citizen
