Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Tokyo Verdyvs.Cerezo

sportsmole.co.uk, 4 July 2024, 09:15
Tokyo Verdy play host to Cerezo Osaka looking for the win that will solidify their place in the top half of the J1 League standings.

While the home side occupy 10th position, the visitors are in fifth, just three points adrift of second-placed Kashima Antlers.

Match preview

For a team that has lost just three times since the middle of March, Tokyo Verdy would have expected to be sitting far higher up the table than 10th spot.

However, eight draws were posted during an 11-match period, undermining their efforts to mount a charge for the continental qualification places.

With Verdy only earning promotion through the second-tier playoffs in 2023, that would have come as a surprise, but Hiroshi Jofuku will be satisfied with his team's efforts over the past five weeks.

Although the aforementioned three defeats have come during that time, Verdy have also collected four wins from the other fixtures, one of which came versus last season's champions Vissel Kobe.

Jofuku's side have also not lost a league game at the Ajinomoto Stadium since February, highlighting that Cerezo Osaka will have to battle hard to claim something from this contest.

That said, the visitors head into this fixture on a seven-game unbeaten run in the J1 League, that being put together directly after a six-match winless streak.

A total of four wins and three draws have been posted during that time, keeping Akio Kogiku and his squad interested with regards to the title.

While they may still be eight points adrift of leaders Machida Zelvia, a head of steam is being built ahead of hosting them on August 7.

Cerezo Osaka have gone six matches without scoring more than twice in a game and just two clean sheets have been recorded in the aforementioned seven fixtures without defeat.

Tokyo Verdy J1 League form:

W

W

L

W

L

W

Tokyo Verdy form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

L

W

Cerezo Osaka J1 League form:

D

D

W

D

W

W

Team News

Tokyo Verdy have doubts over Yuto Tsunashima after the midfielder needed to be withdrawn during the latter stages against Yokohama F. Marinos on June 29.

Tomoya Miki would likely deputise in his place if required, while Yudai Kimura and Itsuki Someno are both options to come into the attack having been introduced before the hour mark last time out.

Barring any injury issues, Kogiku is likely to select the same Cerezo Osaka starting lineup from their victory over Nagoya Grampus.

Leo Ceara scored his 15th goal of the season in that contest, with Lucas Fernandes chipping in with his ninth contribution in the final third.

Tokyo Verdy possible starting lineup:

Vidotto; Taniguchi, Chida, Hayashi; Inami, Tsunashima, Saito, Onaga; F.Yamada, Yanami; G.Yamada

Cerezo Osaka possible starting lineup:

Kim; Okuda, Toriumi, Nishio, Funaki; Fernandes, Okuno, Tanaka, Capixaba; Uejo, Leo Ceara

We say: Tokyo Verdy 2-1 Cerezo Osaka

Although the visitors hold the superior defensive record and have generally been more consistent, Tokyo Verdy will fancy their chances of prevailing from this contest. While they may not necessarily have the most possession, we are backing the hosts to come through this encounter by the odd goal in three.

Previews by email

Top News

14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together at the top of League C Group 1 with two games to play, Sweden and Slovakia will battle it out to take the outright lead when they meet on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal will reportedly allow out-of-favour defender Jakub Kiwior to leave the club on loan in January. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wales travel to the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri to face Turkey in their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre has not ruled out the possibility of leaving the club in January, after seeing his game time reduced recently. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to narrow their gap to the top two in the League One table with a third consecutive victory, Barnsley will visit the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Isak has delivered a fresh update on his future at Newcastle United, amid reported interest from a number of clubs including Arsenal. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma have confirmed the appointment of 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri as their new first-team manager until the end of the season. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has revealed that he was "desperate" to join Chelsea in 2022. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could rival Manchester City and Liverpool for the signature of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly weighing up whether to make a move for in-form PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As exquisite as Pedro Neto's equaliser was, the Portuguese's 20-yard leveller for Chelsea in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal was arguably more to do with the Gunners' uncharacteristic defensive failings. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly made a decision over whether they will pursue a move for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estevao Willian has revealed that he will continue with his education even after completing a big-money transfer to Chelsea. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly going to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" in their pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Embroiled in a fight against relegation to the UEFA Nations League's lowest level, Azerbaijan and Estonia will clash in Qabala on Saturday afternoon. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane has reportedly emerged as a late doubt for Thursday's UEFA Nations League meeting with Greece due to a knock. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to be given the all-clear for Saturday's all-important UEFA Nations League clash with Hungary in Amsterdam. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together on five points in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands and Hungary meet on Saturday in a winner-takes-all clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both vying for promotion to the UEFA Nations League's top tier, Albania and League B Group 1 leaders Czech Republic will lock horns on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco has insisted that his club are not currently looking to bring in a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, with the striker in excellent form for the Catalan giants this season. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will be eyeing a debut for the Germany national team in Saturday's UEFA Nations League clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina in League A Group 3. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco is confident that the club will be able to sign Pedri to a new long-term contract. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing just a point to all but guarantee a first-placed finish in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, Germany welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Christian Eriksen has revealed that he is 'yet to hear anything' from Manchester United over his future. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As closely contested League B Group 1 nears its conclusion, promotion - and relegation - rivals Georgia and Ukraine will meet in Batumi on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina during the January transfer window. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kazakhstan vs. Austria (Thursday, 3.00pm) Amid a three-way battle for promotion from League B Group 3, Austria aim to improve their prospects with a win on Thursday, when they meet Kazakhstan in the UEFA Nations League. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletico Paranaense can temporarily climb out of the Brasileiro Serie A relegation zone with a victory over Atletico Mineiro on Saturday at Arena de Baixada.