Sagan Tosu will welcome Gamba Osaka to the Ekimae Real Estate Stadium this weekend as two sides struggling for form meet in the J1 League off the back of Sagan Tosu's incredible 4-4 draw with Kashima Antlers.
Kenta Kawai crumbled in their 4-4 draw last time out, as they led the game on three separate occasions. Masaya Tashiro scored twice, including an opener in the first half and a stunning 97th-minute equaliser after conceding twice in stoppage time themselves that saw them concede a 4-2 lead.
5/29（日）明治安田生命J1 第16節 鳥栖戦 試合情報 #ガンバ大阪 #GAMBAOSAKA https://t.co/nO4E0iGM4y— ガンバ大阪オフィシャル (@GAMBA_OFFICIAL) May 27, 2022
5/29（日）明治安田生命J1 第16節 鳥栖戦 試合情報 #ガンバ大阪 #GAMBAOSAKA https://t.co/nO4E0iGM4y
This draw was also Sagan Tosu's third in a row after a goalless draw with Kawasaki last weekend, not long after drawing their final game in the J. League Cup to Consadole Sapporo.
Prior to this, the club were also demolished by Vissel Kobe in the league, which came after previously being unbeaten throughout the majority of April with victories over the likes of Kyoto Sanga and Kashiwa Reysol.
The home side here are now up into ninth after this decent run throughout April, but their four wins in the campaign to date along with their nine draws keep them seven points off the AFC Champions League qualifiers and nine points off the top two in the division as well.
However, quite incredibly, Sagan Tosu have lost only twice in the league so far from 15 games in the J1 League, which is one fewer than the top three clubs who are seemingly creating a three-horse race for the AFC Champions League spots.
Osaka, however, have had to wait a bit longer to redeem themselves from their recent two-game losing run as their game with Sanfrecce was postponed in midweek.
Prior to this, the club lost to Cerezo Osaka in a local derby, with the Black and Blues also failing in their J. League Cup attempts, as they lost 3-1 to Kashima Antlers.
The poor run has now left them in 12th, and with the gap only four points on the relegation play-offs spot and the same amount on the 17th-placed relegation zone, a win here is absolutely vital for the club in order to not get sucked even further into the bottom half.
Tomohiro Katanosaka's side have also only won four games this season, with them defeating Kashiwa Reysol away from home in a fantastic display that saw them edge past the fourth-placed side.
Forebet predicts another draw here for both sides, and for the game to see under 2.5 goals.