FC Tokyo can keep themselves in the hunt for the top three in the J1 League standings if they prevail against Consadole Sapporo on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the visitors to the Ajinomoto Stadium currently sit six points adrift of safety and desperately require a return from the fixture in the capital.
Match preview
© Imago
After an 11th-placed finish during 2023, FC Tokyo have been much improved in their efforts to challenge for the continental spots this time around.
That is despite being on a run of just two victories from seven matches, each of those wins coming away at relegation-threatened teams.
A 1-1 draw was posted against 16th-placed Jubilo Iwata in between, and it means that momentum is not necessarily with Peter Cklamovski's side.
As many as four fixtures have been played without Tokyo winning at their home ground, while their last clean sheet here came on April 7.
Nevertheless, there have been no more than two goals in any of their last five fixtures, suggesting that a competitive match could be in store here.
Consadole, though, have been on an horrendous run of form themselves, losing seven of their most recent eight games themselves.
Thirteen goals have been conceded in their last five games, albeit just three being shipped during defeats to Kyoto Sanga and Yokohama F. Marinos.
On a visit to the capital to play Tokyo Verdy recently, Mihailo Petrovic's side would score three times, yet they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat.
Coincidentally, Consadole have not posted an away victory in the J1 League since they defeated FC Tokyo 3-1 back in November.
Team News
© Imago
Although Shuhei Tokumoto came off the substitutes' bench to score Tokyo's winner at Shonan Bellmare, the left-back may remain among the replacements.
Diego Oliveira could return to the attack to take the spot of Ryotaro Araka, while Soma Anzai is another creative player who may be recalled.
Having given a strong account of themselves against Yokohama, it would come as no surprise if Petrovic selected the same Consadole side.
Tatsuya Hasegawa and Rei Ieizumi are both in contention to return on the left flank and in a back three respectively.
FC Tokyo possible starting lineup:
Nozawa; Nakamura, Morishige, Oka, Nagatomo; Koizumi, Ko; Araka, Matsuki, Tawaratsumida; Oliveira
Consadole Sapporo possible starting lineup:
Sugeno; Takao, Okamura, Nakamura; Kondo, Baba, Komai, Suga; Kobayashi, Suzuki, Hasegawa
We say: FC Tokyo 3-1 Consadole Sapporo
With Tokyo not always the tightest at the back, Consadole will fancy their chances of at least breaching their hosts' backline. Nevertheless, we can only back the home side to come through with three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
