FC Tokyo are set to host Avispa Fukuoka at Ajinomoto Stadium in Japan's J1 League on Sunday, with both sides hoping to qualify for the AFC Champions League.
The home side are sixth in the table with 33 points and are five from the automatic AFC Champions League qualification spots, while the visitors are eighth with 32 points.
Match preview
The hosts will be pleased with their season so far considering that after 20 matches they are averaging 1.65 points per game, significantly more than last season's 1.26, that saw them finish 11th.
FC Tokyo are just five points behind third-placed Gamba Osaka and second-placed Kashima Antlers, who occupy the AFC Champions League playoff spot and an automatic qualification place respectively.
The home side come into the game in good league form and have won three of their last four games, including consecutive 1-0 victories against Shonan Bellmare on June 22 and Consadole Sapporo on Wednesday.
However, FC Tokyo's home record has been concerning, as while they won 1-0 against Consadole Sapporo last time out, they have failed to win the last five matches at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Manager Peter Cklamovski has been in charge since June 2023, and in the J1 League this season he has led his side to nine wins, six draws and five defeats.
Cklamovski's team have scored 30 goals and conceded 26 times in the league, and this is the division's joint fifth-best offensive return and ninth-best defensive record.
Meanwhile, Avispa Fukuoka have scored nine fewer goals but have also conceded eight fewer.
Much like their opponents, they come into Sunday's clash in good form considering they have won four of their last five league games.
In fact, they have lost just twice in 15 top-flight matches and have kept three clean sheets in their last four outings.
Hachi's away league form has also been impressive over the last 12 months, as they are unbeaten in their last three and have won 11 of their last 18 such games.
Manager Shigetoshi Hasebe has been in charge since January 2020 and has coached an impressive 209 matches during his tenure, winning 95, drawing 51 and losing 63.
In 2021, Hasebe led his side to their first top-flight season since 2016 and is currently averaging 1.6 points per game, the best return for his team since their return to the J1 League.
Team News
The hosts will be concerned about the fitness of centre-back Yasuki Kimoto, who was taken off with an injury last time out against Consadole Sapporo on Wednesday.
Masato Morishige could come in for Kimoto considering he replaced him against Sapporo.
Elsewhere, FC Tokyo forward Keita Yamashita, midfielder Tsubasa Terayama and defender Renta Higashi are all out after suffering meniscus damage, a knee medial ligament tear and cruciate ligament injuries respectively.
That being said, Terayama could return sometime next month.
As for the visitors, goalkeeper Takumi Nagaishi is still recovering from a broken jaw and is certain to miss out.
Centre-back Tatsuki Nara is not expected to return until June 2025 after undergoing knee surgery, while forward Nassim Ben Khalifa is still out after tearing his thigh muscle.
Right-back Yota Maejima has not featured since May 5 and is not expected back until September.
FC Tokyo possible starting lineup:
Nozawa; Shirai, Morishige, Oka, Tokumoto; Ko, Harakawa; Anzai, Matsuki, Tawaratsumida; Araki
Avispa Fukuoka possible starting lineup:
Murakami; Grolli, Tashiro, Miya; Oda, Matsuoka, Mae, Iwasaki; Konno, Zahedi, Sato
We say: FC Tokyo 1-2 Avispa Fukuoka
Although FC Tokyo are above Avispa Fukuoka, the visitors have largely been excellent away from home in the last year under manager Hasebe.
Additionally, given the visitors' strong defensive record, the hosts could find it difficult to create many clear-cut chances on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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