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Sports Mole previews Saturday's J1 League clash between Kyoto Sanga and FC Tokyo, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Kyoto Sanga welcome FC Tokyo to Sanga Stadium by Kyocera on Saturday, looking to reinforce their impressive start to the 2025 J1 League campaign.

While the hosts have emerged as one of the league's surprise packages, the visitors arrive in desperate need of a result to arrest their alarming slide down the table.

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Match preview

© Imago

Having finished 14th last season with 47 points, Kyoto Sanga have exceeded expectations in 2025, stunning many with their early-season form.

Cho Kwi-jae's side currently sit fourth in the standings with 31 points from 19 matches — nine wins, four draws and six defeats — just three points off the top two, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Kashiwa Reysol.

Their recent momentum, however, was halted last time out in a 1-0 defeat to Tokyo Verdy, which brought an end to a three-game unbeaten run in the league, and that result leaves them level on points with fifth-placed Urawa Reds, who have played one additional fixture.

Saturday's contest offers Sanga the chance to get back on track and maintain their top-four push – encouragingly, they ended a four-match losing streak against FC Tokyo with a convincing 3-0 home victory in August last year.

However, home form of late has been far from convincing. Kyoto are winless in their last three outings at Sanga Stadium — two of which came in the league — a trend they'll be eager to reverse.

© Imago

FC Tokyo will hope to capitalise on that, but with their erratic form and defensive frailties, it could prove a tall order.

The capital club secured a respectable eighth-place finish in 2024 with 54 points, but they have badly struggled to replicate that this term, heading into the weekend in 17th place with 19 points from 17 matches — level on points and goal difference with Yokohama FC, who currently occupy the first relegation spot, but sitting just above them by virtue of goals scored.

FC Tokyo's recent form has been poor, suffering three consecutive defeats across all competitions, including a humbling 3-0 home loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima last time out.

Defensive lapses have plagued their campaign. Only two teams have conceded more than the 23 goals shipped by Rikizo Matsuhashi's side in 17 matches, and tightening up at the back remains their biggest challenge.

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Team News

© Imago

Kyoto Sanga will head into the game without Taiki Hirato, who is suspended after the red card he received in the loss to Tokyo Verdy.

Kwi-jae may opt for minor rotations following the defeat, with leading scorer Rafael Elias pushing for a place in the starting XI.

FC Tokyo, meanwhile, are led by Marcelo Ryan, who has scored four league goals, and he will be looking to head back into the starting XI.

However, Kein Sato is expected to retain his spot from the start even if Ryan comes in, as he could play one of the supporting roles behind the striker.

Kyoto Sanga possible starting lineup:
Ota; Sato, Suzuki, Miyamoto, Fukuda; Souza, Kawasaki, Takeda; Matsuda, Elias, Okugawa

FC Tokyo possible starting lineup:
Nozawa; Doi, Kimura, Trevisan; Shirai, Ko, Koizumi, Anzai; Tawaratsumida, Sato Ryan

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We say: Kyoto Sanga 2-1 FC Tokyo

Kyoto Sanga have surprised many with their resilience and structured attacking play this season, while FC Tokyo are winless in their last three and have looked particularly vulnerable away from home. With confidence high in the Sanga camp and Tokyo struggling for consistency, the hosts could edge a close contest.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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