Both games in this ACL Two group have been misread from the table. Seoul's empty points column was earned by youth and bench players, and this week the regulars have travelled. Persib's perfect defensive record was built on a goalkeeper and a set-piece midfielder who are not expected to be on the pitch. The setting has changed for three of the four teams.
Viettel v Seoul. Seoul split the squad to win the league. At Melbourne the substitutes were youth players, and against Persib the attackers only came off the bench. With the title clinched, Kim Jin-su, Choi Jun, Ros, Babec, Yazan and Cho Young-wook are in Hanoi. Viettel are six without a win and short of bodies. They managed one shot on target at Persib and drew with a promoted side while a man up, and their holding midfielder Paulinho was sent off last time out.
Seoul are missing Klimala, so the goals have to come from Moon Seon-min and the wide play of the full-backs, and their back-up keeper will be tested by Viettel's early set pieces. Once Seoul score, though, Viettel need a win for a coach under pressure and have to open up, which hands Seoul the transitions they want. Two routes to a margin: sustained control, and the counter once the hosts chase. That's why I'm backing Seoul to win it clearly.
Persib Bandung v Melbourne Victory. Persib's two clean sheets came from an early dead-ball goal, a deep block and big goalkeeping. Teja made five saves at Seoul, and he is out. Klok, their corner taker and holding midfielder, was sent off against Viettel. Persib also play on two days' rest. Melbourne bring volume, with 22 and 14 shots in their two group games, and all three of their goals in Seoul came after the hour.
Melbourne have problems of their own. Both regular full-backs, Davidson and Inserra, stayed home, so Persib's runners and set pieces face a back line that has not played together. Persib have scored in nine of their last ten. Each side has its own way to one goal against a weakened unit, so I'm on goals at both ends in Bandung.
