This is a group decider between two sides that are already through to the semifinals, played at a neutral gym, so the home label means very little. Both teams trade long sets and the real question is who arrives with the cleaner rotation. Neither has a confirmed absence, which makes the setter and opposite choices the whole story.
Hyundai Capital beat Busan OK in five sets and Samsung in straight sets, using a deep squad. But its setter slot is unsettled: one setter started against OK and a different one against Samsung. Its opposite Zhang Chuan had not trained much before the Samsung game, according to the coach.
Korean Air beat both of the same opponents 3-1. It rested veterans Kim Gyu-min and Han Sun-soo against Samsung and still won, so its core should be fresher. Kettjinski scored 28 against Samsung after Lim Dong-hyuk was pulled for a poor attack rate, so there are two usable opposites, and Ryu is a steady setter.
The April series between them was split, and Korean Air won twice away from Hyundai's home floor in five sets. I expect a 3-1 or 3-2 game that turns around the third and fourth sets when benches come in.
That's why I'm siding with Korean Air to win the match.
