Preview: Avispa Fukuoka vs. Consadole Sapporo - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to return to winning ways after failing to record a victory in their last four competitive games.

Match preview

There will be a sense of relief among the Avispa Fukuoka after they ended an eight-game winless league run with a narrow victory over Cerezo Osaka in their most recent outing.

A first-half effort from Lukian proved enough for Avispa Fukuoka to claim their first top-flight away victory of the season.

After 19 games, Shigetoshi Hasebe's charges are sitting in 12th place in the J1 League table with 23 points to their name.

Although 17 of those points have been picked up at home, Saturday's hosts have failed to win any of their last four home league matches (D2, L2).

After failing to score in three of their previous four home matches in the top flight, they will need to improve in the final third if they are to trouble Consadole Sapporo.

In contrast to their hosts, the visitors have had no such problems in front of goal, having racked up 40 goals in their 19 league matches.

As a result, Consadole Sapporo are the second-highest scorers in the division, but their attacking prowess appears to have hampered the defensive resilience.

Only Shonan Bellmare have conceded on more occasions (40) in the J1 League than Consadole Sapporo, who have shipped 37 goals this season.

In their most recent outing, Mihailo Petrovic's side looked well set to claim all three points against Vissel Kobe after Supachok Sarachart opened the scoring, but an 85th-minute equaliser from Matheus Thuler ensured the spoils were shared.

Although they are winless in fourth matches across all competitions, Consadole Sapporo will be confident of avoiding defeat, having lost just one of their 10 away league games this term.

Avispa Fukuoka J1 League form:

D

L

L

L

L

W

Avispa Fukuoka form (all competitions):

Consadole Sapporo J1 League form:

W

L

W

D

L

D

Consadole Sapporo form (all competitions):

Team News

Masashi Kamekawa, Shun Nakamura, Daiki Miya and Kennedy Mikuni are all set to miss out for the hosts through injury.

After being forced off in the first half against Cerezo Osaka, Kazuya Konno is unlikely to be involved in Saturday's encounter.

With 11 league goals between them this season, the front two of Yuya Yamagishi and Lukian will provide the main threat for Avispa Fukuoka.

As for Consadole Sapporo, they are unable to call upon the services of Tsuyoshi Ogashiwa, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring problem.

Ryota Aoki is closing in on a return to the matchday squad, but Saturday's contest may come too soon for the 27-year-old.

After putting in an encouraging performance against title-chasing Vissel Kobe last weekend, Petrovic could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Saturday's away trip.

Avispa Fukuoka possible starting lineup:

Murakami; Yuzawa, Nara, Grolli, Maejima; Kanamori, Mae, Ideguchi, Sato; Yamagishi, Lukian

Consadole Sapporo possible starting lineup:

Sugeno; Tanaka, Okamura, Suga; Kaneko, Miyazawa, Arano, Fernandes; Komai; Asano, Sarachat

We say: Avispa Fukuoka 1-1 Consadole Sapporo

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