Jeonbuk vs Buriram United
AFC Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 15th May 2018
Kick-off at 11:00 UK/ 12:00 UK
Venue: Jeonju World Cup Stadium (Jeonju).
Buriram United did well to bag a narrow 3-2 win in the first leg of the AFC Champions League round of 16 tie against Jeonbuk FC. But things won’t be easy the reverse leg as the Koreans are known for blowing away opponents at their own turf.
Jeonbuk were the dominant team in the first leg in Thailand, but Buriram were smart on the counter and cynical in finishing. Things would have been worse for the Koreans if not for an injury time goal cut the deficit to 1 goal.
Now the Koreans carry an advantage in to the second leg having scored twice in the away leg which is further boosted by a dominant home record. Jeonbuk have not lost a home match in the Champions League since 2014, an unbeaten streak of 15 matches with a 7 match win streak.
However, the Thais proved that they are not intimidated by the former Champions as well as they are a different proportion all together in comparison to previous seasons. Traditionally, they do not have the best record on the road in the competition, but this time they are unbeaten with 1 win and 2 draws. The lone win was picked up in Korean soil when they defeated Jeju United 1-0 in the final group game. Also, that win is their first in Korea in five attempts.
Jeonbuk vs Buriram United: Head-to-head
Overall, there are three meetings between the sides and Buriram bagged their first win over Jeonbuk last week having lost a pair of games in the group stage of 2012 edition.
The 3-2 full-time score-line in the first leg was see in Buriram’s only visits to Jeonbuk in 2012, the only difference is that the Koreans were victorious on that occasion.
Jeonbuk vs Buriram United: Predictions
I will not go wrong by commenting that this tie is wide open after Buriram clinch a 3-2 win in the first leg. This will prompt Jeonbuk to produce their A-game while the Thais can afford to do what they do best, sitting on the defense and pump those long diagonal balls for their tall forwards to run into. Nonetheless, this will be a cat and mouse game, but goals can be expected in plenty.
I do believe it is almost impossible to deny Jeonbuk a win at their own backyard. This is the ground where they hit 12 goals in 3 matches, yet conceded 5. So Buriram’s wonderful journey in the competition is likely to end on Tuesday.
Jeonbuk vs Buriram United: Bet Tips
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HT/FT – Jeonbuk/Jeonbuk @ 1.80 odd.
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Both teams to Score & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.00 odd.
