South Korea vs Czechia Predictions

• Five of South Korea’s last seven games have gone under 2.5 goals.
• South Korea have won exactly one game in four of the last five World Cups.
• Patrik Schick scored five goals in qualifiying

Czechs back on the big stage

The first test of those willing to stay up for a late kick-off comes in the form of the second game of this year’s World Cup in which South Korea take on the Czech Republic.

The Taeguk Warriors are World Cup staples, having qualified for every tournament since 1986, while their opponents are making just their second appearance as an independent country.

In a very even looking group, which also contains co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, this first clash will be crucial and a cagey affair looks likely.

Tight Group A could lead to low-scoring games

Five of South Korea’s last seven games have gone under 2.5 goals, with the exceptions a heavy defeat at the hands of Ivory Coast and a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, both in friendlies.

Meanwhile the Czech Republic are unlikely to throw caution to the wind in this opener, especially considering the fact that all four teams in this group have a reasonable chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Miroslav Koubek’s men certainly rode their luck at times to qualify, beating both Ireland and Denmark on penalties in the play-offs, but they showed their fighting spirit to battle from 2-0 down against the Irish and have a very solid core.

Schick could be the man

The Czech Republic scored the most goals from set-pieces of any team in qualifying and will certainly be hoping to utilise that in this game.

South Korea are likely to have more of the ball but they might struggle to break down this Czech defence in what could be a low-scoring clash.

Four of the Czech Republic’s last nine games have finished as a draw and this could follow suit, take a 1-1 stalemate for correct score purposes.

Patrik Schick is the Repre’s top scorer in this squad, netting 26 times for his country, and he could add to that tally.