Team News
Cerezo Osaka – DF/MF Maruhashi is suspended.
Sagan Tosu – No suspensions or injuries reported.

Head to Head – Cerezo won 5-0 in the Nabisco Cup this year, and held Sagan to a 0-0 draw away. Other meetings were in J2 since 2007, all in 6 wins for Cerezo, 5 for Tosu and that scoreless draw.

Match Preview – Cerezo Osaka pulled six points away from the drop zone with last week’s come-from-behind win away at Vissel Kobe and have now won four of their last five. Finally, some consistency from a team that have been decimated by players leaving or missing games through Olympic duties. Coach Levir Culpi returned with the express job of keeping Cerezo in J1 – with 7 games to go I estimate they need only 4 or 5 points but would like to keep the wins going. They were perhaps fortunate last weekend to get the win at Kobe, but they all count and they never gave up. I expect them to make it hard for Sagan.
Sagan Tosu have drifted to seven points away from a top three finish but, let’s face it, who expected them to do this well anyway!? They were outclassed 4-1 by Sanfrecce last weekend but will fancy their chances against Cerezo but I think the best that they can expect this time is A DRAW!!