Key Matches in the Key Races: Alternative K League 1 Round 36 Preview | OneFootball

Even with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors already crowned champions, the 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into a few key races and battles, with continental qualification up for grabs, and a tightly-contested relegation scrap. But what are some of the key matches this weekend? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 36.

Don't miss theofficial K League 1 Round 36 preview here...

Race for Runner-up Spot

Gimcheon Sangmu (3rd) vs. Gangwon FC (6th)

Saturday 8th November - 16:30 KST

A defeat to Pohang in Round 35, coupled with Daejeon's 3-1 win over FC Seoul, meant that Gimcheon Sangmu slipped to third in the table. While AFC Champions League is off the table for the army side, this current crop of Gimcheon players could at least set a record finish for any military team in K League. Chung Jung-yong's troops return to the battlefield this Saturday to take on a Gangwon FC side that lost in ACLE in midweek, a 1-0 reverse away to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but with manager Jeong Kyung-ho having said that, with Final A secure, the Bears are going all-in on the ACL. What sort of lineup will feature against Gimcheon may well be something of a second string. Gimcheon's new recruits will be keen to put the disappointing home loss to the Steelers behind them, landing just two shots on target for an xG of 0.66. Gimcheon have had the edge in this fixture this season, winning two and drawing one with five goals scored and none conceded.

[READ: K League 1 Round 35 Wrap-up]

Race for AFC Champions League qualification

Pohang Steelers (4th) vs. FC Seoul (5th)

Sunday 9th November - 14:00

Pohang Steelers versus FC Seoul, in terms of AFC Champions League Elite qualification, could be seen as last-chance saloon. Certainly, for FC Seoul, sitting fifth and six points behind Pohang, anything less than a win might mean their return to continental competition is short-lived. The Steelers, having beaten third-place Gimcheon last time out, are four points off the top three with nine left to play for. Jesse Lingard is back from suspension and captained Seoul in the ACLE in midweek, a 0-0 home draw with Chengdu Rongcheng. It was a game that saw Seoul land just two shots on target, and meant Kim Gi-dong's men have just one win in their last six in all competitions. Pohang were also in continental action in midweek, hosting Tampines Rovers, also drawing at home.

The two sides only met a few weeks ago, with Pohang earning a 2-1 win in the capital thanks to goals from Lee Ho-jae, via a Ki Sung-yueng assist, and Juninho Rocha. Pohang ran out 1-0 winners in the first Steel Yard meeting of 2025 back in April, with Oberdan getting the game's only goal seven minutes in.

Relegation Battle - Automatic

Jeju SK (11th) vs. FC Anyang (9th)

Saturday 8th November - 14:00

A 2-0 loss to Gwangju FC and a last-gasp draw for Daegu FC in Round 35 have narrowed the gap between the Islanders and the Sky Blues to six points, but with an inferior goals scored tally. With nine points still up for grabs, and with Jeju set to host Daegu in Round 36, it is imperative that managerless Jeju SK have their destiny in their own hands in terms of avoiding automatic relegation. This Saturday, Jeju host an FC Anyang side that is close to securing top-flight status for next season, and one that overwhelmed Ulsan HD to earn a stunning 3-1 win. Anyang have picked up two wins in this fixture this season already, but Jejy won the only meeting on the island by two goals to nil, courtesy of goals from Oh Jae-hyeok and Yuri Jonathan. Both teams have scored seven in their last five outings, but clean sheets are an issue, suggesting that there should be goals in this Saturday's fixture. Jeju are without a clean sheet in five, while Anyang have to go back 14 matches to find theirs.