Sagan Tosu will be looking to extend their recent winning form when they host Gamba Osaka at Ekimae Real Estate Stadium on Sunday.
The home side are aiming to create some breathing space between themselves and the J1 League relegation zone, while the visitors will be keen to maintain their challenge for the league title after ending a brief winless run.
Match preview
![Sagan Tosu head coach Kenta Kawai during the 2024 J1 League match between Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, April 7, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/kenta-kawai.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sagan Tosu head coach Kenta Kawai during the 2024 J1 League match between Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, April 7, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Sagan Tosu team have won their last three matches in all competitions, including a 3-1 victory over Yokohama in the Emperor Cup.
Prior to Wednesday's cup victory, Kenta Kawai's side secured a thrilling 4-3 league win against Albirex Niigata, which moved them two points clear of the relegation places.
Consistency has been a major issue for Sagan Tosu this season; despite their recent improvement, they have struggled to win matches at home, recording just four victories from 11 matches at Ekimae Real Estate Stadium.
However, the home side will be buoyed by their unbeaten record against Sunday's opponents in their last two home matches, and will be hoping to extend this run to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Gamba Osaka will be looking to keep pace with league leaders Machida Zelvia after ending a two-match winless streak with a convincing 4-0 victory over Yokohama F Marinos.
The visitors have enjoyed a resurgence this season after struggling to avoid relegation in recent years, and now find themselves in contention for a first league title since 2014.
Dani Poyatos's side will travel to Tosu in a confident mood following a 2-1 win over Miyazaki in the Emperor Cup on Wednesday, that took their winning streak to two matches across all competitions.
The Nerazzurri's away form has been particularly impressive, with three wins and two draws from their last five league matches on the road - a run Poyatos will hope his team can extend to boost their title chances.
Team News
![Fuchi Honda of Sagan Tosu during the 2023 J1 League soccer match between Urawa Reds and Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 10, 2023 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/fuchi-honda.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Fuchi Honda of Sagan Tosu during the 2023 J1 League soccer match between Urawa Reds and Sagan Tosu at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 10, 2023 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Kawai will be looking to stick with the core that have won the last two matches for Sagan, which means Marcelo Ryan, who has 10 goals in 19 league appearances, will spearhead the attack once again.
Despite his first-half withdrawal against Yokohama F. Marinos, Taisei Inoue was fit enough to start at left-back in the last league game and should keep his spot for this clash.
Right-back Riku Handa is expected back in the starting XI after sitting out of the last match through suspension for the red card he received against Machida Zelvia.
Top scorer Takashi Usami has scored nine times in 21 appearances for the visitors and is expected to feature with Welton, Isa Sakamoto and Juan providing support behind him.
Sagan Tosu possible starting lineup:
Park; Harada, Yamazaki, Kimura, Naganuma; Fukuta, Kikuchi; Togashi, Hino, Yokoyama; Ryan
Gamba Osaka possible starting lineup:
Ichimori; Handa, Nakatani, Fukuoka, Kurokawa; Dawhan, Suzuki; Juan, Sakamoto, Welton; Usami
We say: Sagan Tosu 0-1 Gamba Osaka
Both teams are heading into this clash on the back of successive wins across all competitions and will be high in confidence. However, Gamba are on a three-game winless streak against Sagan, and are enjoying a good run on the road.
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