Cerezo Osaka vs Urawa Reds

Yodoko Sakura Stadium is the venue as Cerezo Osaka and Urawa Reds go head-to-head in an exciting J1 League showdown.

A lack of consistency has seen Cerezo Osaka alternate between winning (2) and not winning (2) across their four previous league matches. Yet, they head into proceedings on the back of a comprehensive 3-1 home triumph over Gamba Osaka. After going winless in their opening five J1 League home games this term (D2, L3), the hosts have won their last two such fixtures by 2+ goals ‘to one.’ Action on either side of half-time could highlight this encounter, as each of Cerezo’s last three top-flight home outings have featured goals in both halves of play.

Meanwhile, Urawa Reds came from behind to hold Kashima Antlers to a 1-1 home draw last time out, making it seven J1 League stalemates in a row, dropping to just a single point clear of relegation-battling Shimizu S-Pulse. The ‘Red Devils’ are still waiting for their first top-flight victory on the road this term, though they can draw confidence from turning a three-game losing streak away from home into three successive draws. The away goals have been at a premium for Urawa thus far, as they’ve netted just two across their inaugural six road trips.