Avispa Fukuokavs.Kyoto Sanga

The home side are sitting in sixth position, while the visitors are languishing in 18th place in the J1 League table.

Match preview

Avispa Fukuoka are just three points adrift of the top three after winning nine, drawing eight and losing four of their 21 league matches.

Shigetoshi Hasebe's side are currently enjoying a fine run of form, having avoided defeat in each of their previous seven matches in all competitions (D1).

They will head into this weekend with hopes of claiming a third consecutive victory after claiming narrow victories over Yokohama F.Marinos and Tokyo in their last two outings.

Masato Shigemi scored the only goal of last Sunday's 1-0 win over Tokyo as Avispa Fukuoka recorded their fourth clean sheet in five league matches.

They will now turn their attention to Sunday's home contest, where they will attempt to complete a league double over Kyoto Sanga after claiming a 3-2 victory in May's away meeting.

Kyoto Sanga are currently languishing in the bottom three, largely due to the fact they won just two of their first 17 league matches this season.

However, they have shown signs of promise in recent weeks, having won two of their last four matches, including a narrow victory in their most recent meeting with Shonan Bellmare thanks to Taichi Hara's first-half effort.

Although they can be encouraged by recent results, Kyoto Sanga still have significant work to do with two points separating them from safety ahead of Sunday's away fixture.

They now have the opportunity to claim consecutive J1 League victories for the first time since beating Cerezo Osaka and Yokohama F.Marinos in November and December 2023.

However, claiming all three points will be far from simple as the visitors have lost each of their previous three away meetings with Avispa Fukuoka.

Avispa Fukuoka J1 League form:

W

W

W

D

W

W

Avispa Fukuoka form (all competitions):

Kyoto Sanga J1 League form:

D

D

W

L

D

W

Kyoto Sanga form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Yota Maejima, Takumi Nagaishi, Tatsuki Nara and Nassim Ben Khalifa.

After dropping down to the bench last weekend, Itsuki Oda could return to the side to operate as a right wing-back.

Having scored three goals in their last five appearances, Wellington is likely to be given the responsibility of leading the line against Kyoto Sanga.

Meanwhile, the visitors are unable to call upon defender Shogo Asada, who is currently sidelined with a knee issue.

Midfielder Talki Hirato is pushing for a recall after dropping out of the starting lineup for the recent win over Shonan Bellmare.

Marco Tulio is poised to make a second straight start, and he is likely to be joined in the front three by Kazunari Ichimi and Hara.

Avispa Fukuoka possible starting lineup:

Murakami; Grolli, Tashiro, Miya; Oda, Matsuoka, Mae, Iwasaki; Konno, Sato; Wellington

Kyoto Sanga possible starting lineup:

Gu; Fukuda, Miyamoto, Suzuki, Misao; Kawasaki, Hirato, Matsuda; Tulio, Ichimi, Hara

We say: Avispa Fukuoka 1-0 Kyoto Sanga

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