Key Matches in the Key Races: Alternative K League 1 Round 26 Preview | OneFootball

The 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into a handful of key races, perhaps even fewer for those who see the title race more or less sewn up, and the automatic relegation spot firmly in one team's hands. But what are the key matches in the key races this weekend? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 26.

Race for the Top 4

Gimcheon Sangmu (3rd) vs. FC Seoul (5th)

Sun. 17th August - 19:00

Third host fifth on Sunday when Gimcheon Sangmu take on FC Seoul. Both teams will see a top-four finish as the bare minimum, particularly FC Seoul, whose manager will be under pressure to deliver after being heavily backed in the transfer market. Gimcheon can't qualify for the AFC Champions League, so their pursuit of second place or higher is mainly about pride. FC Seoul will want to build on last year's fourth-place finish and guarantee a place in the AFC Champions League Elite for next season. Three points separate the two sides, and a win for either team would have a huge impact on the race to the top four. Gimcheon could basically build a bunker below them with a win, while Seoul would open that race right up. Seoul have enjoyed the better record in this fixture of late, earning one win and one draw this season, as well as three wins and one draw last year.

Race for Final A

Suwon FC (10th) vs. Ulsan HD (6th)Sat. 16th August - 20:00

Getting the Shin Tae-yong era off to a winning start, not only meant that Ulsan earned a first K League win since the end of May, but the Horangi was able to claw their way up into the top six. Coach Shin reportedly rewarded his new players with three days off, so they will be fresh heading into Saturday's away trip to Castle Park. Suwon missed the chance to go a club record five wins in a row last time out and remain in the bottom three. However, they are still only a point behind Jeju in ninth and three behind Gangwon in eighth, meaning a win could move them out of the relegation zone altogether. In addition, with just six points between sixth and 10th, another run of results for Suwon could propel them into the top six race. Ulsan, meanwhile, only have a two-point cushion over the bottom half and so will have to build on last weekend's win if they are to solidify their place in the top half. Suwon have done well in this fixture this season, earning a 3-2 win at the Munsu in the rearranged Round 20 fixture, after a 1-1 draw at home in Round 5.

K League TV [ENG]: here

Relegation Battle

Jeju SK (9th) vs. Gangwon FC (8th)Fri. 15th August - 19:00

The middle section of the K League 1 table is so tight that one result could be the difference in looking up toward the ACL places or getting dragged into the relegation playoff battle. Jeju SK and Gangwon FC fit into that category, and with Jeju just a point above the bottom three and Gangwon just three points clear, there is little wriggle room for either. Jeju had been on a decent run of three unbeaten with two wins, but have lost their last two. Gangwon are without a win in four but three of those matches ended as draws. A return to winning ways will be key for both clubs to avoid getting dragged into the relegation zone.

Both teams tend to win once they take the lead, both having earned eight wins from winning positions this season. Jeju have the slightly better record of coming back from behind, with two wins from 16 times trailing compared to Gangwon's one win from 14, so the first goal could be key in Friday's contest. The first meeting of 2025, back in Round 3, ended in a 0-0 draw in Chuncheon, while the second in Round 12 ended in a 3-0 Gangwon win on the island.

Worth a mention...

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) vs. Daegu FC (12th)

Top entertaining bottom, with more than 10 points between their nearest rivals. Jeonbuk's habit of scoring late on helped them overcome a late Anyang fight back last Friday night, with Lee Seung-woo bundling in from close range. The win kept Jeonbuk 15 points clear and on course to, potentially, seal the league title either soon before or just after the split. The Green Warriors are now 21 games unbeaten. Daegu, meanwhile, 12 points behind Anyang in 11th, are on a run of 14 without a win but picked up a hard-earned point away to FC Seoul last time out. Cesinha thought he'd won the game for the Sky Blues but his header in the 68th minute was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

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