The J1 League moves into round No 20 this weekend. Yokohama F. Marinos are pulling away at the top of the table and are now six points clear of second-placed Nagoya Grampus.
At the bottom of the table, Yokohama, Kashiwa Reysol, and Shonan Bellmare are battling against relegation.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima posted a 2-1 win in their reverse fixture against Kashima Antlers. Hiroshima are on a three-game winning streak against Kashima Antlers in all competitions.
Kashima Antlers are sixth in the table and on a run of decent form. Antlers went unbeaten in five of their last six games in the league, but four of those five matches ended as draws. They failed to score in two of their last four matches.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima are level on points in the table with Kashima Antlers (29). They are on a terrible run of form, with three straight defeats. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have a record of 5W-1D-3L at home this season.
The last six games between Urawa Red Diamonds and FC Tokyo were divided into two wins, two draws, and two defeats apiece. Home-field advantage played a part in the results of the last two matches between the teams.
Urawa Red Diamonds won this fixture at home last season, 3-0. FC Tokyo returned the favour earlier this season in the J1 League, winning 2-0 at home. Urawa are a strong home side and go into the match unbeaten in five straight home fixtures.
FC Tokyo are the J1 League’s third-worst away team. They took just six points from the opening 16 away fixtures. FC Tokyo lost four of their last five away matches in the league.
Yokohama FC are 16th in the standings and just two points off last-placed team Shonan Bellmare. They are aiming to end a five-game winless streak on Saturday against Kawasaki Frontale. Yokohama FC won the reverse fixture 2-1 at home.
Despite winning earlier this season against Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama lost five of their last six head-to-head meetings with Kawasaki. Yokohama FC took five points from their last six games. They are the league’s worst away team, with just five points from eight games.
Kawasaki Frontale picked up seven points from their last 18 points on offer. Frontale go into the round winless in back-to-back J1 League games. Despite their recent form, Kawasaki Frontale won their last three home matches.
Cerezo Osaka went unbeaten in their last six games against Sagan Tosu in all competitions. Osaka are on a two-game winning streak against Cerezo Osaka and won 2-1 at home earlier this season.
The last two games between Sagan and Cerezo Osaka ended with 2-1 scores. Two of the last six games between the clubs saw Sagan Tosu receive a red card. Sagan took 11 points from their last six games in the league. They are playing decent football currently.
Cerezo Osaka took 12 points from the last six matches in the league. They are coming off a 1-0 home loss to Avispa Fukuoka.