On Saturday morning, Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka meet in a local derby match in the J-League, with both teams needing points for two very different reasons.
The home team heads into this game on the back of three straight defeats in all competitions, having suffered a 2-0 loss by Kashima Antlers in the Emperor’s Cup last time out. In fact, Gamba Osaka has now failed to win any of their previous four games in all competitions, including suffering back-to-back league defeats.
【無料】理想の雰囲気に近づいた2019年の先へ――ガンバ大阪が満員の大阪ダービーで伝えたいこと（文 玉利剛一 @7additionaltime )https://t.co/juBJ9jcuvZ「満員の状況で倉田（秋）選手がゴールを決めた時の熱気や活気のあるスタジアムの沸き方はプロモーションだけではつくれないものでした」— footballista (@footballista_jp) July 14, 2022
【無料】理想の雰囲気に近づいた2019年の先へ――ガンバ大阪が満員の大阪ダービーで伝えたいこと（文 玉利剛一 @7additionaltime )https://t.co/juBJ9jcuvZ「満員の状況で倉田（秋）選手がゴールを決めた時の熱気や活気のあるスタジアムの沸き方はプロモーションだけではつくれないものでした」
A lack of goals has been a real problem for Tomohiro Katanosaka’s team in recent games. They have failed to score in three of their last five matches in the J-League.
Gamba Osaka’s recent home form in the Japanese top-flight has been the definition of inconsistent, as they have won two, lost two and drawn two of their previous six outings in the J-League. Their recent league games on home soil have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six home matches.
While their neighbours are perilously close to the relegation zone, one point above, Cerezo are still very much in the hunt for a place in AFC Champions League for next season. The visitors currently lie in sixth place in the table, five points adrift of the top three in the standings.
Akio Kogiku’s team are unbeaten in four matches in the J-League but have won just one of their last five matches in the league.
Cerezo Osaka has struggled for victories on their travels, as they have won just one of their previous six away games in the J-League.
Forebet predicts that this local derby will finish in a high-scoring draw, which may hinder both teams' chances of achieving their objectives this season.