Urawa Reds – MF Naoki Yamada out for the season. DF Spiranovic is said to be leaving the club, certainly no longer in the manager’s plans. FWs Escudero and Popo still doubtful.
Sagan Tosu – DF Kitani out until September. MF Takahashi approaching fitness, but not for this game.

These teams have only met once before, in the Nabisco Cup this year, when Sagan Tosu won. This will be the first J.League meeting between the teams.

Urawa Reds (5th – P16 W7 D6 L3 GD +5 Pts. 27) have won just one of their last four games – a fortunate win over Gamba Osaka – registering draws against Tokyo, Cerezo and Vegalta in that time. Even with that faltering record they remain just five points off top spot and will want to take advantage of the teams above them dropping points. They have scored just 20 goals all season and the common belief is that, if they had a strong striker they would be clear at the top by now!
Sagan Tosu (9th – P16 W6 D6 L4 GD +4 Pts. 24) are just three points back from Reds but the cracks are starting to show in their so far impressive J1 debut campaign. A win here would boost their confidence no end and give them the boost that they need to allow them to think that they can keep it up. A loss would perhaps begin their slide into the lower reaches. Two wins in five in recent games, those wins being against Consadole and Gamba. EXPECT a WIN for URAWA REDS!