Urawa Red Diamonds are set to host Jubilo Iwata at Saitama Stadium in Japan's J1 League on Sunday, and victory for the away side would narrow the gap between the sides to just three points.
The hosts are ninth in the table with 29 points and are nine from the division's sole AFC Champions League playoff spot, while the away side are 13th with 23 points and are seven from the relegation zone.
Match preview
Considering that the home side averaged 1.68 points per game in the 2023 season and finished fourth, they will naturally be disappointed that after 20 matches this term they are currently averaging 1.45 points per game.
Indeed, the Reds finished just one point behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima last campaign, who claimed the AFC Champions League playoff spot, but are already nine behind third-placed Gamba Osaka.
The Red Diamonds come into the game in poor league form, as while they did win 1-0 last time out against Nagoya Grampus on Wednesday, they failed to win the previous five matches.
Manager Per-Mathias Hogmo was appointed in December 2023 before the start of the 2024 season, and his side have scored 31 goals and conceded 27 times in the league this term.
Interestingly, this offensive record is the division's joint third best and is only bettered by second-placed Kashima Antlers and fifth-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
As for the Red Diamonds' home form, they have failed to win their last three games at Saitama Stadium but they did win five of the previous six fixtures at home.
Meanwhile, opponents Jubilo Iwata have been poor away from home for some time, and have failed to win any of their last six league matches on the road.
In fact, they have only won three of their last 25 away fixtures in the top flight, a record that stretches back to March 19, 2019.
Their overall league form has also been inconsistent as while they won last time out against Tokyo Verde on Wednesday, this is their only win in the last six games.
However, despite these more negative stats, manager Akinobu Yokouchi will be pleased that after 20 games back in the top flight his side are already seven points clear of 18th-placed Shonan Bellmare, who occupy the division's first relegation place.
Yokouchi took charge of Jubilo in December 2022, led his side to promotion in the 2023 season, and this term they have scored 27 goals and conceded 28.
In the reverse fixture on May 19 Jubilo played out a 1-1 draw with the Red Diamonds, who took the lead through Marius Hoibraten in the 68th minute, before they equalised in the 71st minute thanks to Shota Kaneko.
Urawa Red Diamonds J1 League form:
Jubilo Iwata J1 League form:
Team News
The hosts will be without defensive midfielder Samuel Gustafson, who has not played for his club since June 1.
Ken Iwao came on as a substitute last time out against Nagoya Grampus on Wednesday and had to be taken off after suffering an injury, but he has since transferred to Tokushima Vortis on a permanent deal.
Hirokazu Ishihara is at risk of suspension should he pick up another yellow card, and the right back will have to be cautious of this on Sunday.
Expect top scorer Thiago Santana, who has seven league goals, to lead the line and be supported by wingers Hidetoshi Takeda and Ola Solbakken.
As for the visitors, centre-back Riku Morioka was forced off after suffering an injury in the 88th minute and Naoki Kanuma could come in for Sunday's game.
Jubilo forward Ryo Germain and midfielder Rikiya Uehara are at risk of suspension so must be careful to avoid picking up yellow cards.
Urawa Red Diamonds possible starting lineup:
Nishikawa; Ishihara, Sato, Hoibraten, Ohata; Ito, Yasui, Watanabe; Solbakken, Santana, Takeda
Jubilo Iwata possible starting lineup:
Kawashima; Uemura, Suzuki, Kanuma, Matsubara; Uehara, Gomes; Jose, Germain, Kaneko; Peixoto
We say: Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 Jubilo Iwata
Despite the fact that the Red Diamonds will be disappointed with their season so far, they have still scored more and conceded less than Jublio.
Additionally, considering the hosts have the division's joint third best offensive record, they could once again look to generate a number of chances on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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