Two teams at opposing ends of the J1 League will meet on Wednesday as fifth-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima will host Alibirex Niigata.
While the hosts shall be attempting to put pressure on those above them, the visitors are focused on pushing away from the relegation zone.
Match preview
![Sanfrecce Hiroshima head coach Michael Skibbe before the 2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup Playoff round 1st leg match between FC Tokyo 1-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, Japan June 5, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/michael-skibbe_1.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sanfrecce Hiroshima head coach Michael Skibbe before the 2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup Playoff round 1st leg match between FC Tokyo 1-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, Japan June 5, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Hiroshima have been one of the standout teams in the J1 League so far this season and that is reflected by their position in the table.
Having only lost three of their 18 matches to this point, Hiroshima have proven themselves to be difficult to defeat due to their resilience from a defensive perspective.
However, the real strength of Michael Skibbe's team has been in front of goal as no team in the entire division has scored more goals than them so far.
Their attacking quality has caused problems for all of their opponents, and that has been particularly true at home where 20 of their goals have taken place.
Hiroshima relied upon their defensive play at the weekend though as they grounded out a 1-0 win against Kashiwa Reysol, with the team successfully defending Douglas Viera's first-half goal.
The visitors are undefeated in their past six matches across all competitions, proving that despite their league position they have managed to put some confident results and performances together.
While they have been held to draws in their previous J1 League matches, the fact that Albirex Niigata are consistently picking up points is a positive situation.
With six points between them and the relegation zone, there is a little breathing room for them, but they will still be hoping to kick on further up the division.
A win could potentially move the club into 15th place depending on other results, which would allow Albirex Niigata the chance to start focusing on climbing the division.
They were taught a valuable lesson in concentration last weekend, though, after scoring a 97th minute goal that could have been a winner, only to concede four minutes later.
Team News
![Sanfrecce Hiroshima team group, Mannschaftsbild, Totale Football / Soccer : 2024 J1 League match between Yokohama F. Marinos 3-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium, Kanagawa, Japan JUNE 19, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/sanfrecce-hiroshima-team-photo.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Sanfrecce Hiroshima team group, Mannschaftsbild, Totale Football / Soccer : 2024 J1 League match between Yokohama F. Marinos 3-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium, Kanagawa, Japan JUNE 19, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Taichi Yamasaki is currently set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out of action since early March.
However, the hosts could welcome back Makoto Mitsuta following his suspension at the weekend, which could force a change in the midfield.
Eiji Miyamoto is unavailable for the visitors until at least August because of a fractured eye socket, which the team have become accustomed to in recent weeks.
Yuji Hoshi and Riita Mori are also injury doubts at the moment as Albirex Niigata's squad continues to be stretched.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima possible starting lineup:
Osako; Shiotani, Nakano, Higashi; Arai, T. Matsumoto, H. Matsumoto, Shichi; Ohashi, Sotiriou, Kato
Albirex Niigata possible starting lineup:
Kojima; Fujiwara, Fitzgerald, Deng, Hayakawa; Taniguchi, Shimada, Akiyama, Komi; Okumura, Suzuki
We say: Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-0 Albirex Niigata
Sanfrecce Hiroshima have been an impressive team so far this season, and their attacking qualities will likely prove to be too much for their opponents in midweek.
The visitors have struggled so far in this campaign, and that is likely to be reflected in this match as their opponents should have enough quality to take all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
