Pohang's first pass and the support around its forward receiver should shape this match. Gamba can turn failed exits into repeated attacks, with interior runners joining the central striker. Pohang's recent compact starts have not consistently carried through the later stages.
Gamba's current movement brings Usami inside and Mito into higher positions. Jebali supplied Sumi after Welton left against Machida, while the rotated attack also created chances against Buriram before the senior attacking substitutions. Those combinations give Gamba several ways to reach the space between Pohang's midfield and defence.
Welton's thigh issue remains unresolved after his early departure against Machida. Sumi's subsequent chances provide a recently demonstrated alternative. Jorge also left Pohang's latest match early without a verified clearance, while Gamba have recently used both Higashiguchi and Ichimori in goal.
The opening exchanges should test whether Pohang can secure the ball beyond Gamba's pressure. Repeated recoveries would let Gamba keep finding a receiver and the runner arriving beyond him, with substitutions offering another way to sustain that work. That's why I'm siding with Gamba Osaka to win: their demonstrated routes into useful attacking positions outweigh Pohang's recent evidence of sustained creation and protection.
