Ulsan Hyundai Vs Busan Ipark
Sunday, 24 May 2020 – 11:00 Kick-Off
South Korean K League 1
Pick: Both Teams To Score
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 20 May 2020)
Preview: Another incredibly difficult K League match-up awaits newly-promoted Busan Ipark, up against an Ulsan Hyundai side who’ve already made a strong start to the new season as they seek to go one better than in 2019.
South Korean K League Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Ulsan Hyundai Preview – Perfect start set to continue?
Last season’s runners-up, who were denied a third K League title by virtue of their inferior goal having finished level on points with Jeonbuk, can at least take some small comfort from their perfect start to the new league term. Successive victories over Sangju Sangmu (4-0) and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2-3) sending Ulsan Hyundai top at this early stage, ironically ahead of Jeonbuk on goal difference.
However, while their opening assignment posed them minimal fuss, last week’s successful outcome away in Suwon was hard-fought to say the very least. After conceding twice either side of half-time to fall 2-0 behind, a first loss seemed on the cards until a spirited fightback ensued, spearheaded by Brazilian striker Junior Negao whose brace – which included a last-gasp winner – ultimately spared his team-mate’s blushes.
That ‘Ulsan Tigers’ found a way to overcome adversity should not come as a complete surprise: 9 of 23 wins recorded over the course of last season were by a single goal margin, with 13 achieved despite conceding at least once. Expect Negao to feature prominently once again as well, with the 33-year-old already on four goals, this after finishing 2019 second in the scoring charts with 19.
Busan Ipark Preview – First points of season beyond them?
As one of two new additions to the 2020 K League, joining K League 2 champions Gwangju FC who would finish six points better off, there was always likely to be a period of acclimatisation for Busan Ipark. Particularly with this being the club’s first spell back in South Korea’s top tier following a four year absence, but even more so because their initial schedule always had a daunting feel to it.
Once Sunday’s relatively short trip to Ulsan is out the way, Busan will have already played three of last season’s top-four. So it is perhaps no great shock that after their opening two matches, they are still seeking their first points. Not that they’ve necessarily disgraced themselves so far, keeping it respectable in defeats to Pohang Steelers (2-0) and reigning champs Jeonbuk (1-2).
A goal right at the death denied them a memorable point at home to Jeonbuk last time out, valiantly drawing level past the hour mark through a Romulo penalty. The result painful ultimately, but one they can take plenty of heart from. Expect this team to cause an upset sooner or later though: en route to gaining promotion no team scored more than their tally of 73 goals in 36 games, netting at a rate of more than two a game (2.09) on their travels.
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Ulsan Hyundai Vs Busan Ipark Betting Advice
Unsurprisingly, Ulsan Hyundai begin as overwhelming favourites for this. They are, after all, the second best outfit in Korean football according to last season’s standings, beginning the new term in a similar vein with back-to-back wins scoring seven times in the process. Meanwhile, Busan Ipark have struck out thus far, conceding in each half to lose their first two encounters upon rejoining the K League.
Ulsan Vs Busan Key Facts
- Only five of Ulsan Hyundai‘s 13 home wins during last season’s K League campaign featured a clean sheet.
- Scoring nine more goals than any other team in K League 2 last season, Busan Ipark scored a greater portion of their goals away from home (39 – 32), at a rate of 2.09 per away game.
- Ulsan Hyundai have prevailed in three of their most recent four head-to-head meetings, with the latest of those a 2-0 cup success in Busan in 2018.
Considering Ulsan’s propensity for conceding goals regularly last season (only 12 clean sheets in 38 games; winning 13 times when conceding), there is every chance Busan, who were lethal in front of goal in last season’s K League 2, can contribute to another thrilling encounter as significant underdogs. Especially after Ulsan’s less-than-convincing defensive display last weekend.
Best Betting Odds for Ulsan Hyundai Vs Busan Ipark
Ulsan Hyundai – 1/2 (Ladbrokes)
Draw – 17/5 BetVictor
Busan Ipark – 6/1 (Bet365)
