South Korea vs Ivory Coast: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups

The friendly at Stadium MK on Saturday offers both sides a final tune-up before the World Cup in June. South Korea last played in November, beating Ghana 2-0. Ivory Coast return after a 3-2 quarter-final loss to Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Match preview

South Korea sealed World Cup qualification with an unbeaten run in qualifying. They went 16 matches without defeat in that phase, recording 11 wins and five draws.

The team reached a 11th consecutive World Cup after a 2-0 win over Iraq in June. They finished qualifying by beating Kuwait in the final match.

Ivory Coast also advanced smoothly. They topped their qualifying group unbeaten in 10 fixtures, with eight wins and two draws.

The Elephants will make their fourth World Cup appearance. It will be their first finals presence since 2014.

Form and context

Since June 2023, South Korea lost only three of 37 games. Their record in that period reads 24 wins and 10 draws.

Coach Myung-bo has been in charge for 19 matches. Only two of the recent defeats occurred under his tenure.

A heavy loss to Brazil in October preceded a response of three straight wins. Those victories included the 2-0 success over Ghana, three clean sheets, and five goals scored.

South Korea sit 22nd in the FIFA rankings. They also boast seven wins in their last nine away matches.

Ivory Coast had a five-game unbeaten run halted by Egypt in January. That run consisted of four wins and one draw.

Manager Emerse Fae led the nation to the 2023 continental title after taking charge partway through the tournament.

The two nations previously met once, in a 2010 friendly in England. South Korea won that game 2-0.

Team News

South Korea name a strong squad for this fixture. Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae is expected to anchor the defence.

Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in could play on the right. Captain Son Heung-min is likely to start on the opposite flank.

Son has scored 55 international goals. He can move closer to Cha Bum-kun’s record of 58 goals.

Ivory Coast will be without Yan Diomande. He suffered a shoulder injury while at Leipzig.

Nicolas Pepe may return after missing the Africa Cup of Nations. Amad Diallo will join the squad and is likely to play on the right wing before a planned Manchester United training camp.

Lineups

• South Korea possible starting lineup: Song; Seol, Cho, Park, Kim, Tae-Seok; Kang-In, Castrop, Kwon, Son; Oh.
• Ivory Coast possible starting lineup: Y Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, Inao Oulai; Diallo, Guessand, Adingra.

Predictions

Both teams are well organised and preparing for the World Cup. Ivory Coast lost only two of their last 12 matches, with eight wins and two draws.

Given recent form and personnel, a draw looks most likely. Filmogaz.com predicts a 1-1 scoreline.

This article provides a concise Match Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups overview for the neutral friendly. It focuses on form, selection and likely tactics ahead of the World Cup.