Two teams sitting just above the J1 League relegation zone will meet on Sunday as Kashiwa Reysol makes the trip to face Sagan Tosu.
The hosts are just one point above the bottom three, placing real pressure on them heading into this fixture.
Match preview
![Fuchi Honda of Sagan Tosu during the 2023 J1 League soccer match between Urawa Reds and Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 10, 2023 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/fuchi-honda.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Fuchi Honda of Sagan Tosu during the 2023 J1 League soccer match between Urawa Reds and Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 10, 2023 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Sagan Tosu heads into this weekend on the back of a midweek defeat against Cerezo Osaka where an own goal from Kohei Tezuka in the eighth minute proved to be enough to split the teams.
It highlighted a problem they have dealt with so far this season which is finding the back of the net, as only three teams in the division have scored fewer goals than them.
It is a situation that Kenta Kawai will be looking to address on the training field to implement on the pitch moving forward.
Sagan Tosu proved they are capable of scoring goals last weekend when they defeated Kyoto Sanga 3-0 with a brace from Marcelo Ryan and a goal from Yoichi Naganuma picking them up an important three points.
It marked only Sagan Tosu's fifth victory of the season so far, with the need for more points being clear as they sit just one above the relegation zone.
![Kota Yamada (Gamba) Football / Soccer : Japanese 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League match between Gamba Osaka 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol at the Panasonic Stadium Suita in Suita, Japan JUNE 16, 2024[IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/kota-yamada.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Kota Yamada (Gamba) Football / Soccer : Japanese 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League match between Gamba Osaka 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol at the Panasonic Stadium Suita in Suita, Japan JUNE 16, 2024[IMAGO]")
© Imago
The visitors might have a cushion between them and the bottom three, but they are not in a comfortable league position either, which Reysol will want to change.
It has been six J1 League games since the team last picked up a victory, and that is a situation they need to turn around sooner rather than later to start climbing the division.
Reysol are six points above their opponents at the moment, and putting some real distance between them with a victory on Sunday would make a big difference.
However, Reysol have typically picked up draws when playing on the road this season, having shared the points five times in away games to this point.
That was evidenced during their most recent match when Matheus Savio scored a 96th-minute equaliser, showcasing the fighting spirit that exists within this team.
Team News
![Sagan Tosu head coach Kenta Kawai during the 2024 J1 League match between Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, April 7, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/kenta-kawai.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sagan Tosu head coach Kenta Kawai during the 2024 J1 League match between Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, April 7, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Ryan should retain his position leading the line for the hosts after scoring nine in 19 appearances, proving his quality in front of goal.
It is unlikely any changes will be made to the team at the moment considering the slight improvements in performances lately.
After scoring in midweek, Mao Hosoya should remain in the starting lineup for the visitors as he looks to pick up some momentum.
However, Reysol are without Tomoya Inukai because of injury, which is impacting the back four that the team would usually deploy.
Sagan Tosu possible starting lineup:
Il-Kyu; Harada, Yamazaki, Kimura, Ueebisu; Fukuta, Kawahara; Naganuma, Horigome, Yokoyama; Ryan
Kashiwa Reysol possible starting lineup:
Sasaki; Sekine, Noda, Koga, Rodrigues; Yamada, Takamine, Toshima, Savio; Hosoya, Kinoshita
We say: Sagan Tosu 1-1 Kashiwa Reysol
Neither team has been showcasing much confidence this season and that is something that could be reflected in the match itself on Sunday.
Seeing them share the points would not be a surprise, especially considering how many times Kashiwa Reysol have drawn away from home this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
