Urawa Reds vs Yokohama F. Marinos

Saitama Stadium forms the backdrop for a tasty-looking J1 League showdown between Urawa Reds and Yokohama F. Marinos.

This may not be the perfect time for Urawa Reds to take on the reigning J1 League holders after losing their last two competitive outings via an aggregate score of 5-0. Urawa’s sudden decline in form comes after an outrageous streak of 14 consecutive matches without losing across all competitions (W7, D7 – 90mins only). But the impending home return could offer a solution, with Maciej Skorza’s team racking up an eye-catching nine-game unbeaten run on home turf (W5, D4), impressively keeping four clean sheets in their six most recent games at Saitama Stadium. That being said, the ‘Reds’ have conceded at least three goals in their last three league meetings with Yokohama (D1, L2), including a 2-0 fiasco in the reverse fixture.

On the other hand, Yokohama’s rather challenging J1 League title defense has used some break as they’ve recently featured in two exciting intercontinental friendlies against Celtic and Manchester City. And while they toppled the former in an enthralling 6-4 contest, there was no salvation in a 5-3 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side. Back to domestic duties, Kevin Muscat’s men are looking to arrest a two-game winless league run (D1, L1) and at least maintain a one-point deficit on table-topping Vissel Kobe. This road trip could be just what the doctor ordered, as before drawing 2-2 at Nagoya Grampus on their last top-flight travel, Yokohama had mustered three away league wins on the trot.