In a clash that could impact the relegation battle in the J1 League, Avispa Fukuoka will welcome Tokyo Verdy to Best Denki Stadium on Saturday.
Avispa were beaten 2-0 by Cerezo Osaka on May 24 and are seventh last in 14th place with 22 points, while their 13th-placed opponents have one point more and emerged as 1-0 victors against Kyoto Sanga on May 25.
Match preview
© Imago
Saturday's hosts hit the woodwork twice against Cerezo Osaka and had multiple opportunities to take the lead before they conceded the winner six minutes from time.
Manager Kim Myung-hwi's side have only netted 15 goals in the top flight this term, a return that makes them the division's joint fourth-worst offensive team.
Hachi are four places and three points above the relegation zone, though it should be noted that just four points separate them from seventh-placed Kawasaki Frontale.
Avispa's performances in the last weeks have been poor, with the club winning one of their past nine games, losing five matches in that time.
The hosts have been more difficult to beat at home given they have won three, drawn three and lost one of their seven most recent outings at Best Denki Stadium, though they are winless in three at their ground.
© Imago
As for Tokyo Verdy, they only produced two shots on target against Kyoto Sanga – with a total xG figure of 0.39 – and seven of their 11 attempts came after opposition midfielder Taiki Hirato was sent off in the 67th minute.
The club have kept two consecutive clean sheets, and their record of 18 goals conceded in their 18 league games is the joint second best among teams outside the top three.
Boss Hiroshi Jofuku's team boast a strong record against their hosts having avoided defeat in their last four matchups – winning twice – while drawing two and only losing one of their prior four meetings.
Verdy come into Saturday's game on the back of two victories, though they did lose three of their previous four.
The visitors have lost two and won two of their past four on the road, but those were their only defeats in their last 11 away games, a period in which they kept seven clean sheets while emerging triumphant five times.
Team News
© Imago
Avispa utilised a 3-4-3 system last time out, and if they do so again on the weekend, Takumi Kamijima, Tomoya Ando and Masaya Tashiro could play in a back three.
Myung-hwi may select Daiki Matsuoka and Shintaro Nago in a double pivot, while Yota Maejima and Takaaki Shichi are candidates to feature as wing-backs.
Striker Yuto Iwasaki is likely to start, and he could be supported by Kazuya Konno and Kazuki Fujimoto.
It would be surprising if opponents Verdy made any changes to their defence, so fans can expect Hiroto Taniguchi, Daiki Fukazawa and Yuto Tsunashima to play together on Saturday.
Jofuku may use Rei Hirakawa and Koki Morita in midfield in order to provide a platform from which forwards Hiroto Yamami, Kosuke Saito and Yudai Kimura can attack.
Avispa Fukuoka possible starting lineup:
Murakami; Kamijima, Ando, Tashiro; Maejima, Matsuoka, Nago, Shichi; Konno, Fujimoto; Iwasaki
Tokyo Verdy possible starting lineup:
Vidotto; Tsunashima, Fukazawa, Taniguchi; Onaga, Hirakawa, Morita, Arai; Yamami, Saito; Kimura
We say: Avispa Fukuoka 0-1 Tokyo Verdy
Verdy have been excellent from a defensive perspective this season and will be confident of limiting their opponents in the final third.
Avispa's performances in front of goal have also been poor, and their overall form is concerning, so it is difficult to see them taking anything from their clash against the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
