Top-of-the table Kashima Antlers will fight to extend their lead in the J1 League when they travel to take on Gamba Osaka at the Suita City Stadium on Saturday.
The Nerazzurri will be looking to end their winless run this weekend, while the visitors will be keen to get back on track after their defeat last time out.
Match preview
© Imago
Dani Poyatos's Gamba enjoyed a three-game winning streak between late April and early May, but having since lost three and drawn just one of their four matches since, they are desperate to avoid dropping more points this weekend.
The Nerazzurri followed up their elimination from the J-League Cup at the hands of Jubilo Iwata with a 2-2 stalemate on the road to Kawasaki Frontale last Sunday, and the manager will be disappointed that his team conceded a late equaliser after coming from behind to take the lead in the second half.
That draw left Poyatos's side 11th in the table, where their 24-point tally has them just five above Yokohama in the relegation zone and eight behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who currently occupy the division's spot for entry into the AFC Champions League 2.
As they try to distance themselves from the threat of demotion, this weekend's hosts will draw confidence from the fact that they have won three of their last four at the Suita City Stadium, including a commendable 2-1 triumph over fourth-placed Kyoto Sanga.
If Gamba can take maximum points on Sunday, then they could move up to seventh, where they may find themselves level on 27 points with sixth-placed Vissel Kobe in a best-case scenario.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Toru Oniki's Kashima shot up the table with a seven-game winning run in the J1 League, though their streak was broken last time out, and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend.
This past Sunday, the league leaders were shockingly beaten 3-1 by bottom club Yokohama F. Marinos, and the boss will have drilled into his players the importance of concentration considering that they were stunned by three goals in the opening half an hour at the Nissan Stadium.
That defeat saw Oniki's men's lead at the top of the pile reduced to three points when second-placed Kashiwa Reysol reached 34 with a draw, and they know that victory in Osaka could be crucial for their title ambitions.
With that in mind, the visitors will be buoyed by their travelling record that features three wins from their last four on the road, as well as back-to-back clean sheets in the two away games prior to their most recent loss.
Should Kashima get back on track with their 13th triumph of the campaign, then they could establish a six-point cushion over their rivals, but defeat would enable Taiyo-O to reduce their lead to mere goal-difference.
Team News
© Imago
Gamba could be without striker Takashi Usami, who scored and assisted against Kawasaki, after he was taken off with an injury last time out.
In his absence, Deniz Hummet could start up top, supported by a trio of Ryoya Yamashita, Makoto Mitsuta and Juan Alano, who has an impressive six assists from 12 appearances this term.
As for Kashima, Leo Ceara is likely to lead the line once again despite their loss this past weekend, and attacking midfielder Ryotara Araki should operate behind him.
In Oniki's back four, centre-backs Naomichi Ueda and Tae-hyeon Kim will be hoping to remain solid after a disappointing trip to Yokohama, while full-backs Ryuta Koike and Koki Anzai provide overlapping runs to aid Aleksander Cavric and Yuma Suzuki out wide.
In the centre of the park, Kento Misao and Yu Fanabashi will be looking to create some stability in the visitors' midfield after they were overwhelmed early on in their defeat last time out.
Gamba Osaka possible starting lineup:
Ichimori; Handa, Nakatani, Fukuoka, Kurokawa; Lavi, Suzuki; Yamashita, Mistuta, Alano; Hummet
Kashima Antlers possible starting lineup:
Hayakawa; Koike, Ueda, Kim, Anzai; Misao, Funabashi; Cavric, Araki, Suzuki; Ceara
We say: Gamba Osaka 1-2 Kashima Antlers
Gamba have been in poor form in recent weeks, and though their home record suggests that they could put up a fight, they are unlikely to take anything from the clash.
Kashima have also been impressive on the road, and their surprising away loss last time out could serve as a wake-up call ahead of this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
