Pohang Steelers vs Johor Darul Takzim FC Prediction & Betting Tips

Two very different runs of form

Johor's numbers from their last 20 games are eye-catching: 14 wins, three draws and just three losses, with 83 goals scored against only 18 conceded. Results like the 10-0 FA Cup win over Damansara and the 9-0 league win over Kelantan Red Warrior FC boost those figures, though, and they come against domestic opposition rather than continental sides.

Pohang Steelers: 20 completed matches; Johor Darul Takzim FC: 20 completed matches.

Pohang Steelers

20 matches

Win

40% 8 / 20

Draw

15% 3 / 20

Loss

45% 9 / 20

Scored

23

Conceded

28

Difference

-5

Johor Darul Takzim FC

20 matches

Win

70% 14 / 20

Draw

15% 3 / 20

Loss

15% 3 / 20

Scored

83

Conceded

18

Difference

+65

Pohang's record over the same length of sample is far less convincing: eight wins, three draws and nine losses, with more goals conceded (28) than scored (23). Their last five matches have brought just one win, plus a home draw with Gimcheon Sangmu and a 3-1 defeat to Beijing Guoan in this competition.

Johor's goal difference is flattered by weaker domestic opponents, and their continental form so far has been far tighter.

Comparative Team Statistics: Pohang Steelers vs Johor Darul Takzim FC

History is split, and dated

The three previous meetings between these clubs go back to 2021, when Pohang won both legs of an AFC Champions League tie, 4-1 at home and 2-0 away. The most recent clash came in February 2025, when Johor beat Pohang 5-2 at home in the AFC Champions League Elite.

None of that tells us much about how this specific fixture, at Pohang's ground, will go. The venue has swapped since the last two results, and over a year has passed since they last met.

Early days in the group

Both teams have played just one match in this group so far. Johor sit eighth after their 1-1 draw at Buriram, while Pohang are down in 14th following their 3-1 home defeat to Beijing Guoan.

That's a single result each, not a settled picture of where either side stands in this campaign.

Cards to keep an eye on

Johor's recent disciplinary record shows E. İsrafilov picking up a red card, with Jairo and S. Zahedi both booked in the matches covered here. None of that confirms who will actually be available for this fixture, but it's worth watching team news closer to kickoff.

Johor Darul Takzim FC:

Penalty cards:

E. İsrafilov x 1

Jairo x 1

S. Zahedi x 1

How it could unfold

Johor's domestic scoring has been relentless, but their form against stronger opposition, like the 1-1 draw with Buriram and a 3-3 friendly with Chelsea, has been far tighter. Pohang have leaked goals regularly at home this year, so there's scope for Johor to cause problems if that pattern continues.

Pohang, though, have shown they can grind out low-scoring results too, with several 0-0 or 1-0 type games in their recent sample. A cagier match than Johor's raw numbers suggest wouldn't be a shock.