FC Seoul are on a run of eight matches without a win, following the 1-1 draw against Suwon FC last Sunday. An Aleksandar Paločević penalty deep into injury time ensures that the spoils were shared, and that the six-match losing streak was put to an end, but it now means that Seoul's last victory was the Super Match on March 21st.
Seongnam FC make the short trip from southeast Gyeonggi Province having lost their last three matches. On Sunday the Magpies fell to a late Lee Ki-je free-kick in a 1-0 loss to Suwon Bluewings. Kim Nam-il's men last picked up three points on 10th April, a 2-0 win over Gwangju FC.
Team News
FC Seoul are likely to be without Park Chu-young while winger Park Jung-bin and utility man Go Yo-han are long term absentees. Ki Sung-yueng, Osmar and Paločević all returned in the 1-1 draw with Suwon FC having sat out the defeat to Jeju United the week before.
For Seongnam, right back Lee Si-young is a doubt having been forced off with an injury during the 1-0 defeat to Suwon Bluewings. Striker Fejsal Mulić could be recalled to the starting lineup having been dropped to the bench on Sunday while Sergiu Buș will be hoping he can make at least another cameo appearance.
Head-to-Head
A Fejsal Mulić pen in the 89th minute sealed the win for Seongnam when these two sides met at Tancheon earlier in the season. The final meeting of 2020 ended in a 1-0 away win for Seoul, however, Cho Young-wook with the game's only goal in the 83rd minute. Late goals is a theme in this fixture too as at the last Sangam meeting, a Tomislav Kiš goal in the 90th minute gave Seongnam the win. That was the Magpies' first win away to FC Seoul since 2016.
Over the last 10 encounters, FC Seoul have picked up six wins to Seongnam's four. Overall, from 124 previous meetings, Seoul have 40 wins to Seongnam's 44 and 40 draws.
What to Watch
Returning to winning ways
Both teams head into Friday's encounter desperate to return to winning ways. A win for either side would be enough for a place in the top half of the table, at least until Saturday's fixtures are finished. In three out of Seongnam's four wins this term, Fejsal Mulić has been on the scoresheet. It's a similar situation for FC Seoul too who have a talisman of their own in Ki Sung-yeung. The capital club also have four wins this term with Ki scoring in three of those. In addition, Seoul's first win of the season came against Suwon FC in Round 2 and during which Ki laid on an assist for Na Sang-ho. Both will be key for their respective sides' attempts to return to winning ways.
Where to Watch
Fans in countries with K League overseas broadcasting rights can follow the game live on television. More information can be found
here.
Alternatively, the match is also available for FREE on
tv.kleague.com.
Paul Neat
K League United Columnist
