K League 1 Gameweek 31

Incheon United vs NS Pohang Steelers

Sungui Arena Park

Match Preview

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
69
Incheon United
vs
Pohang Steelers
Fri, Oct 9 • 07:30 한국어
⚡ Form 49
⚖️ Balance 87
🏆 Stakes 60
⭐ Stars 31
A desperately tight mid-table clash beckons.

Win Probability

  • Incheon United 42%
  • Draw 30%
  • Pohang Steelers 28%

Futmetrix AI estimate

Mid-Table Margins: A Fight for Relevancy

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 69/100. With just a single point separating these two mid-table outfits, this is a grueling battle for momentum in the top-half conversation.

The Setup

On October 09, 2026, Sungui Arena Park plays host to a meticulously poised K League 1 encounter between Incheon United and Pohang Steelers. Round 31 finds the visitors sitting 7th on 40 points, closely tracked by Incheon in 8th on 39 points. Neither side brings intimidating momentum into the fixture, possessing relatively modest Form levels. However, a remarkably high Balance rating dictates this will be an incredibly tight affair. With Stakes proving moderate as they jostle for position, it is a game where small details will determine the victor.

Key Battle

With few distinct Stars dominating the narrative, this is a tactical clash of units. Incheon's slightly more productive attacking lines (36 goals this season) will look to carve open a Pohang defensive block that has proven stubborn but occasionally fragile on the road. The midfield battle for possession and second balls will be where this contest is ultimately won or lost.

Our Prediction

A grinding 1-1 draw. Incheon boasts a slight edge on paper with a 41.7% win probability, but Pohang's resilience makes them tough to break down completely. Expect a tight, cagey match where both teams cancel each other out, settling for a share of the spoils in the end.

Key Questions

Should I watch this match?

Yes, if you enjoy tactical, evenly matched encounters. The high Balance promises a closely fought scrap, even if it lacks high-scoring fireworks.

What's the predicted outcome?

We expect a 1-1 draw. Both sides are struggling for consistent form, and their evenly matched profiles suggest they may cancel each other out.

Where are Incheon United and Pohang Steelers in the league table?

Pohang Steelers sit 7th with 40 points, while Incheon United are right behind them in 8th with 39 points.

What is Incheon United's current form?

Incheon is experiencing a patchy run of Form, having recorded one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five league outings.

Who is expected to win this match?

Incheon United are narrow favorites with a 41.7% probability, but the draw is a highly plausible outcome given the closeness in quality.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
03/15/2026 Pohang Steelers 1 - 1 Incheon United K League 1 Pohang Steel Yard
09/27/2024 Pohang Steelers 1 - 0 Incheon United K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
06/23/2024 Incheon United 1 - 3 Pohang Steelers K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
04/28/2024 Pohang Steelers 0 - 0 Incheon United K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
10/20/2023 Pohang Steelers 1 - 1 Incheon United K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
09/02/2023 Incheon United 0 - 2 Pohang Steelers K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
06/25/2023 Incheon United 0 - 1 Pohang Steelers K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
04/30/2023 Pohang Steelers 0 - 2 Incheon United K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
10/16/2022 Incheon United 1 - 1 Pohang Steelers K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
08/20/2022 Pohang Steelers 1 - 1 Incheon United K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
03/15/2026
K League 1 Pohang Steel Yard
09/27/2024
K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
06/23/2024
K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
04/28/2024
K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
10/20/2023
K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
09/02/2023
K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
06/25/2023
K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
04/30/2023
K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
10/16/2022
K League 1 Sungui Arena Park
08/20/2022
K League 1 Steelyard Stadium
Incheon United Win
Pohang Steelers Win
Draw

Season Statistics

8
League Position
7
39
Points
40
36
Goals Scored
28
33
Goals Conceded
34

League Standings

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 FC Seoul 30 62 56 25 +31 LPohang Steelers 2 - 1 FC Seoul (20-09-2026)WJeonbuk Motors 1 - 2 FC Seoul (12-09-2026)LUlsan Hyundai FC 1 - 0 FC Seoul (08-09-2026)WFC Seoul 1 - 0 Incheon United (05-09-2026)WGwangju FC 2 - 5 FC Seoul (30-08-2026)
2 Ulsan Hyundai FC 30 47 45 40 +5 LFC Anyang 2 - 1 Ulsan Hyundai FC (19-09-2026)WUlsan Hyundai FC 2 - 1 Incheon United (12-09-2026)WUlsan Hyundai FC 1 - 0 FC Seoul (08-09-2026)DJeju United FC 0 - 0 Ulsan Hyundai FC (05-09-2026)WUlsan Hyundai FC 3 - 1 Gimcheon Sangmu FC (29-08-2026)
3 Jeju United FC 30 46 35 29 +6 WGangwon FC 0 - 1 Jeju United FC (20-09-2026)DBucheon FC 1995 2 - 2 Jeju United FC (12-09-2026)WGwangju FC 0 - 1 Jeju United FC (09-09-2026)DJeju United FC 0 - 0 Ulsan Hyundai FC (05-09-2026)WJeju United FC 3 - 1 Daejeon Citizen (30-08-2026)
4 Jeonbuk Motors 30 44 38 28 +10 DJeonbuk Motors 2 - 2 Gwangju FC (20-09-2026)LJeonbuk Motors 1 - 2 FC Seoul (12-09-2026)DGangwon FC 1 - 1 Jeonbuk Motors (09-09-2026)WJeonbuk Motors 2 - 0 Pohang Steelers (05-09-2026)DIncheon United 1 - 1 Jeonbuk Motors (30-08-2026)
5 Gangwon FC 30 43 36 28 +8 DGangwon FC 0 - 0 Incheon United (27-09-2026)LGangwon FC 0 - 1 Jeju United FC (20-09-2026)DGimcheon Sangmu FC 2 - 2 Gangwon FC (13-09-2026)DGangwon FC 1 - 1 Jeonbuk Motors (09-09-2026)WFC Anyang 0 - 3 Gangwon FC (06-09-2026)
6 Daejeon Citizen 30 40 46 37 +9 DIncheon United 1 - 1 Daejeon Citizen (20-09-2026)DDaejeon Citizen 2 - 2 Pohang Steelers (12-09-2026)WDaejeon Citizen 3 - 2 FC Anyang (09-09-2026)WBucheon FC 1995 0 - 5 Daejeon Citizen (05-09-2026)LJeju United FC 3 - 1 Daejeon Citizen (30-08-2026)
7 Pohang Steelers 30 40 28 34 -6 WPohang Steelers 2 - 1 FC Seoul (20-09-2026)DDaejeon Citizen 2 - 2 Pohang Steelers (12-09-2026)DPohang Steelers 0 - 0 Gimcheon Sangmu FC (09-09-2026)LJeonbuk Motors 2 - 0 Pohang Steelers (05-09-2026)DGangwon FC 0 - 0 Pohang Steelers (30-08-2026)
8 Incheon United 30 39 36 33 +3 DGangwon FC 0 - 0 Incheon United (27-09-2026)DIncheon United 1 - 1 Daejeon Citizen (20-09-2026)LUlsan Hyundai FC 2 - 1 Incheon United (12-09-2026)WIncheon United 2 - 1 Bucheon FC 1995 (08-09-2026)LFC Seoul 1 - 0 Incheon United (05-09-2026)
9 FC Anyang 30 38 38 47 -9 WFC Anyang 2 - 1 Ulsan Hyundai FC (19-09-2026)DGwangju FC 1 - 1 FC Anyang (13-09-2026)LDaejeon Citizen 3 - 2 FC Anyang (09-09-2026)LFC Anyang 0 - 3 Gangwon FC (06-09-2026)DBucheon FC 1995 1 - 1 FC Anyang (29-08-2026)
10 Gimcheon Sangmu FC 30 33 30 36 -6 WBucheon FC 1995 0 - 2 Gimcheon Sangmu FC (19-09-2026)DGimcheon Sangmu FC 2 - 2 Gangwon FC (13-09-2026)DPohang Steelers 0 - 0 Gimcheon Sangmu FC (09-09-2026)DGimcheon Sangmu FC 2 - 2 Gwangju FC (06-09-2026)LUlsan Hyundai FC 3 - 1 Gimcheon Sangmu FC (29-08-2026)
11 Bucheon FC 1995 30 32 31 40 -9 LBucheon FC 1995 0 - 2 Gimcheon Sangmu FC (19-09-2026)DBucheon FC 1995 2 - 2 Jeju United FC (12-09-2026)LIncheon United 2 - 1 Bucheon FC 1995 (08-09-2026)LBucheon FC 1995 0 - 5 Daejeon Citizen (05-09-2026)DBucheon FC 1995 1 - 1 FC Anyang (29-08-2026)
12 Gwangju FC 30 15 21 63 -42 DJeonbuk Motors 2 - 2 Gwangju FC (20-09-2026)DGwangju FC 1 - 1 FC Anyang (13-09-2026)LGwangju FC 0 - 1 Jeju United FC (09-09-2026)DGimcheon Sangmu FC 2 - 2 Gwangju FC (06-09-2026)LGwangju FC 2 - 5 FC Seoul (30-08-2026)

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