Tokyo Verdy are set to host Brighton & Hove Albion in a friendly at Tokyo National Stadium on Sunday.
The home side are currently ninth in the J1 League with 34 points from 24 games, while Brighton finished 11th in the 2023-24 season with 48 points.
Match preview
With 14 games left to play, Tokyo Verdy find themselves stranded in the middle of the league table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone but 10 from third-placed Kashima Antlers, who occupy the division's AFC Cup qualification spot.
However, their current position of ninth should not be seen as disappointing considering that 2024 is their first season back in the top flight since 2008.
In fact, if Verdy were to finish ninth then it would be their joint-highest finish in the league since 2003, when they ended the season in eighth place.
Manager Hiroshi Jofuku has been in charge since June 2022 and has a 46% win percentage at the club.
Jofuku's side have scored 32 goals and conceded 36 times in the J1 League, and this makes them the division's joint 10th-best offensive and joint 12th-best defensive team.
Opponents Brighton have taken their most senior players on a tour of Japan, and they have already played J1 League side Kashima Antlers on July 24.
The Seagulls emerged as 5-1 victors and new signing Yankuba Minteh scored on his debut for the club after joining from Newcastle United on July 1.
There have also been changes to the coaching staff at Brighton, with 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler taking over from Roberto De Zerbi, who departed the club and joined Marseille.
Hurzeler is the youngest ever full-time boss of a Premier League team and at previous club St Pauli was also made the youngest head coach in the 2. Bundesliga at just 29 years of age.
Despite his youth, the Brighton boss has already achieved success in his career, especially considering he guided St Pauli back to the Bundesliga for only their second top-flight campaign since 2002.
If Brighton's 5-1 win against Kashima Antlers is anything to go by, then fans could be in for an exciting 2024-25 season.
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Team News
The home team's next league game is not until August 7 so it is likely that Jofuku will choose a strong starting XI.
Expect Tokyo Verdy to name captain Hiroto Taniguchi in a back three alongside Naoki Hayashi and Yuto Tsunashima.
As for Brighton, they come into the game without goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who has picked up an injury.
In the wide positions, the Seagulls will look to field Kaoru Mitoma and Minteh once again, although given 10 players were taken off at half time against Kashima Antlers, it would not be a surprise if Hurzeler made changes during the match.
Tokyo Verdy possible starting lineup:
Vidotto; Tsunashima, Hayashi, Taniguchi; Miyahara, Saito, Miki, Onaga; Someno, Yamami; Kimura
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Offiah, Samuels, Van Hecke, Lamptey; Minteh, Ayari, Baleba, Mitoma; Adingra, Welbeck
We say: Tokyo Verdy 1-4 Brighton & Hove Albion
Although Tokyo Verdy will be able to name a strong lineup on Sunday, they are unlikely to overwork many of their starters in this friendly given their league season is ongoing.
Considering the ease with which Brighton dispatched third-placed Kashima Antlers on July 24, the Seagulls should come into the game as strong favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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