Cerezo Osaka vs Guangzhou

With nothing but pride to play for, Guangzhou head to the Chang Arena to take on Cerezo Osaka in the penultimate round of the AFC Champions League group stage fixtures.

A commanding 3-0 away win over Port last time out cement Cerezo Osaka’s place in the Champions League knock-outs, extending their unbeaten start to Group J to four matches (W3, D1). Also, Cerezo’s ability to bounce back after falling behind has seen them avoid defeat in both group stage fixtures in which they conceded first (W1, D1). After suffering back-to-back losses in the domestic championship in late May, the hosts have gone unbeaten in their subsequent six home matches in all competitions (W4, D2), with three of their four wins in that period yielding a clean sheet. But, the Japanese heavyweights have endured mixed fortunes across their five competitive meetings with Guangzhou (W2, D1, L2), running out 2-0 victors in the reverse fixture in late June.

Meanwhile, the visitors have already lost any chance of advancing to the knock-out stages after losing all four group stage games by an aggregate score of 7-0. Particularly vulnerable in the later stage of play, they have registered 57.14% of their total Champions League goals conceded this term on or beyond the hour mark (4/7). Interestingly, following three goalless draws away from home, none of Guangzhou’s last five road trips have ended level (W2, L3), with each result (win/loss) in this period seeing the winner on the day keep a clean sheet. Indeed, a lack of firepower in the front third has seen Guangzhou fail to find the back of the net in six of their last eight competitive games away from home.