Yokohama F. Marinos vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Yokohama F. Marinos and Sanfrecce Hiroshima are set to lock horns in a high-stakes J1 League showdown at the Nissan Stadium.

The pressure continues to mount on manager Harry Kewell after Yokohama suffered another league defeat over the weekend, slipping to a 3-1 home loss to table-topping Machida Zelvia – their fourth across the last six rounds (W1, D1). Stranded only six points clear of the bottom three amidst a dreadful start to the season (W5, D5, L6), Yokohama can ill-afford another slip-up after letting 3rd-placed Gamba Osaka build a substantial 14-point cushion. Hiroshima’s upcoming visit to the Nissan Stadium can inspire confidence around the Marinos camp, considering they’ve won three of their last five home league H2Hs (D2). More inspiration may stem from the fact Yokohama had gone unbeaten in nine consecutive home outings before the abovementioned reversal against Machida (W6, D3).

On the other hand, after a slow three-game start to their May schedule (D1, L2), Hiroshima’s form has soared to another level, with the visitors registering an eye-catching seven wins across their last eight outings in all competitions (D1). Michael Skibbe’s side put Vardy to the sword in the previous round, steamrolling to a 4-1 home victory to make it three multi-goal margin wins across their last four league matches (D1). As a result, they commence this round only five points adrift of the continental qualification spots, though they do have a game in hand on 3rd-placed Gamba. While they remain the only side in the J1 League yet to lose a league game on the road this season, it’s worth noting that 75% of their away league fixtures ended level (W2, D6), including a 1-1 draw at Cerezo Osaka last time out.