Ulsan Hyundai vs Pohang Steelers Prediction: Last Season Champions Butt Horns Against Runner-Ups

The last season's champion, Ulsan, resumes Matchday 1 with a pairing against Pohang Steelers as the two sides begin the initial scramble for table dominance. The two sides are in great form, with Ulsan burdened with the travails of the AFC Champions League fixture against Jeonbuk. Five recent meetings between Ulsan and Pohang have resulted in three stalemates and two wins for Ulsan Hyundai.

NB: Teams' positions at the moment are determined alphabetically.

Ulsan Hyundai (1st)

Recent PlayOffs Form: W-W-D-W-W

Ulsan is undoubtedly one of the best sides in the league at the moment are puffed up in note-worthy excellence. They remain one of the sides in the league to still feature in the AFC Champions League after beating Japanese junior side Ventforet Kofu to a 5-1 aggregate scoreline to secure spots for themselves in the semi-finals. They are envisaged to go guns blazing against the Steelers in this opening game of the league since there is still ample time before the game against Jeonbuk in the AFC Champions League. The odds favour them as favourites even though the latent possibility of a stalemate lurks in the shadows of the game’s statistics.

Player to Watch: Leonardo Nascimento de Souza

Pohang Steelers (4th)

Recent PlayOffs Form: D-L-D-D-W

The Steelers finished in the second spot last season, closely trailing Ulsan. Pohang met Ulsan Hyundai four times last season and could not secure victory against the ravaging side, with two close-knitted defeats and two stalemates. However, the odds are insistent on the side as the underdog in this game against Ulsan, who have shown themselves to be better in recent times. Pohang exited the AFC Champions League after losing with a 3-1 scoreline against Jeonbuk Motors, the other Hyundai side, who faces Ulsan in the forthcoming semis of the AFC.

Key Player: In Sung Kim

H2H ANALYSIS (LAST FIVE MEETINGS)

• Ulsan Hyundai has dominated the last five meetings between the sides, with three stalemates and two wins
• There were three cases of a BTTS
• Five recent meetings recorded two cases of O 2.5 and one case of U 2.5

Expert Betting Tips

Ulsan has dominated on more occasions. As such, picking options straying from this fundamental fact could be foolery. Consider the following tips presumed to nudge you towards better alternatives:

• The two sides are two lions littered. Pohang Steelers would be desperate against defeat as they look to revert the course of history. Still, a win for Ulsan Hyundai is the optimal choice at 1.75 odds from Bet365.
• Ulsan Hyundai is bound to try to repel attacks from Pohang Steelers and, if possible, orchestrate threatening attacks. The two sides are vehement attackers. Bet On Goals from both sides in this game at 1.69 odds from Betway.
• Lastly, one should not ignore the likelihood of a stalemate repeating itself in the game. Bet On a Draw at 1.78 odds from 1xbet

Good luck!