Preview: Kashiwa Reysol vs. Albirex Niigata - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are also experiencing a poor run of form after failing to win any of their previous four matches in the J1 League.

Match preview

Kashiwa Reysol are languishing at the bottom of the J1 League table on goal difference after collecting just 12 points from their 17 league matches.

Since playing out a 1-1 draw with Vissel Kobe on May 20, Kashiwa Reysol have gone on to lose three consecutive league games, conceding 11 goals in that period.

Although they advanced to the Emperor's Cup round with a 7-1 victory over YGU Pegasus earlier this month, they failed to enjoy success in the J.League Cup.

Kashiwa Reysol were eliminated prior to their final group game against Avispa Fukuoka last weekend, but they would have still been disappointed to finish the competition with a 1-0 defeat.

They will now turn their attention back to league matters, and they will be hoping to claim just their second home league win of the season.

Albirex Niigata were in the same League Cup group as Kashiwa Reysol, and as a result, they have already faced Saturday's opponents on two occasions this season.

They managed to claim a 2-0 home win on April 5, but were edged out by a 3-2 scoreline in the reverse fixture, before going on to lose their final two group games.

Rikizo Matsuhashi's side were ultimately eliminated alongside Saturday's hosts, and they will have to pick themselves up as they look to end a four-game winless league run.

Albirex Niigata, who won promotion from the second tier last season, are currently sitting in 13th place with 17 points to their name from as many games.

Saturday's visitors have recorded just one win in their eight away league matches, and they are currently winless in six away games in the top flight.

Kashiwa Reysol J1 League form:

D

L

D

L

L

L

Kashiwa Reysol form (all competitions):

Albirex Niigata J1 League form:

D

W

L

L

D

L

Albirex Niigata form (all competitions):

Team News

Kashiwa Reysol are unable to call upon the services of Bueno due to a knee injury, while a thigh problem will prevent Diego from featuring.

After being left out for the League Cup defeat to Avispa Fukuoka, Keiya Shiihashi is expected to return to central midfield alongside Tomoki Takamine.

Jay-Roy Grot, who joined Kashiwa Reysol from Viborg in February, scored his first J1 League goal earlier this month, and he is set to appear in a front two with Mao Hosoya.

As for Albirex Niigata, they are expected to be without Shusuke Ota, Michael Fitzgerald, Yuto Horigome and Yoshiaki Takagi, with the quartet set to miss out through injury.

Ryotaro Ito played his final game for the club against Kyoto Sanga earlier this month, before completing his move to Belgian side Sint-Truiden.

Despite scoring just once in 15 competitive appearances this term, Koji Suzuki could be given the chance to lead the line for the visitors.

Kashiwa Reysol possible starting lineup:

Matsumoto; Kawaguchi, Tsuchiya, Koga, Katayama; Toshima, Takamine, Shiihashi, Savio; Hosoya, Grot

Albirex Niigata possible starting lineup:

Kojima; Arai, Deng, Watanabe, Tagami; Shimada, Ko; Gomes, Ito, Komi; Suzuki

We say: Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 Albirex Niigata

Kashiwa Reysol may be languishing at the foot of the table, but they have avoided defeat in their last four home games against Albirex Niigata, and we think they will continue that impressive run by claiming a narrow win on Saturday.

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