K League 2 enters the final bend with nothing decided

With a third of the season still to play, K League 2 is as open and unpredictable as ever. Every team has 13 matches to play, except for the great underdog Chungnam Asan, meaning those well outside the play-off picture can't be written off just yet. August is an extremely busy month, with a breathtaking number of crucial head-to-heads. These are the top 5 games to watch out for this month.

Before we begin, let's have a look at the top of the table.

With 14 wins all season, FC Anyang have been the undisputed best team of the year, but signs of fragility have emerged in recent weeks. Two of their five losses came in July, and one of those was at bottom-placed Ansan Greeners. Jeonnam Dragons have the attacking talent to drag the title race out to the season's final weeks and August is mostly kind for them.

Every team down as far as 9th has a realistic shot at the playoffs but unless Anyang and Jeonnam drop a significant number of points, it is difficult to see who else could win the title. Chungnam Asan are best placed but surely they are not realistic candidates. Right? Seoul E-Land are fun to watch under Kim Do-kyun, but their defense is far too leaky.

The Bluewings have arrested their slide down the table, but the sheer volume of draws since June means they're not doing enough to close the gap on those above them. Gimpo, surprisingly, are down in 9th, but they're only three points from the final play-off spot. Busan's managerial change, bringing in the experienced Jo Sung-hwan, might prove to be a masterstroke.

Here are August's key clashes at the top of the table, when and where they're on, and how you can watch them.

Seoul E-Land vs. Busan IPark. Saturday, August 10th. Mokdong Stadium.

Just something about Kim Do-kyun, taking on Busan, that is always riveting. Last season, Kim's Suwon FC overturned a 3-1 aggregate deficit with 12 minutes to play, forced extra time, and then sent Busan back to K League 2 with a 5-3 trouncing. Kim's E-Land opened their season with a fortuitous 3-0 win in Asiad but he has some mystical power over Busan. But Jo Sung-hwan is in the Busan dugout now. The man who led Incheon to two top 6 finishes, the AFC Champions League, and an FA Cup semi-final. It should be a great way to open August.

Suwon Samsung vs. FC Anyang. Monday, August 12th. Yongin Mireu.

The Original Clasico returns to the unfamiliar surroundings of Yongin Mireu this Monday. Pitch development work in Big Bird has necessitated the move to the 37,000-seater Mireu which, sadly, comes with a track. It is a pity they didn't get Anyang into Big Bird as the final match before the redevelopment. Their last meeting, in April, was the beginning of the end for Yeom Ki-hun. Suwon sauntered to a 3-1 win, went top, and didn't again under the legendary former playmaker. Anyang now hold a 12-point lead over their illustrious hosts.

Suwon Samsung vs. Jeonnam Dragons. Sunday, August 18th. Yongin Mireu.

August is a tough month for Byun Sung-hwan. All four games are against playoff contenders and soon after welcoming the leaders FC Anyang, they then host the second-placed Jeonnam Dragons in Mireu. The Dragons have the attacking weapons to hurt Suwon, but with Paulinho now a Bluewing, Suwon have their own ace card. This should be a fascinating duel, and Jeonnam will want revenge after the 5-1 hammering they took in Big Bird. These two games are likely to make or break Suwon's season. Nothing less than six points will do.

Chungnam Asan vs. Busan IPark. Sunday, August 18th. Yi Sun-sin Stadium.

You read that right. After a scarcely believable season in Yi Sun-sin, Chungnam Asan forms part of the playoff picture. They need 5 points to better last season's total of 42 but with a third of the year to go. Kim Hyun-seok has been an inspired appointment in the dugout but they've also recruited really well. Jose Pablo Monreal arrived mid-summer from Suwon FC and has already netted four goals in eight games. Juninho came from Gimpo and he has registered 12 goal contributions in 24 games. Asan have taken four points off Busan this year. They are not slowing down in Asan.

Seoul E-Land vs. Suwon Samsung. Sunday, August 25th. Mokdong Stadium.

Another Bluewings game to add to the list. Apologies to Cheongju and Bucheon who go without a mention, but these are the month's key fixtures. With a dangerous month ahead, one or both of these sides could be out of contention by the time they meet in Mokdong. Seoul E-Land are 2/2 against Suwon this season; their 3-1 win in Big Bird ended Yeom Ki-hun's ill-advised reign. Seoul have the attacking nous, confidence, and head-to-head form to complete a season hat-trick over Suwon. This looks like the key month in the entire season. I can't call it.