Albirex Niigata vs Kyoto Sanga

Denka Big Swan Stadium plays host to a bottom-half J1 League contest between Albirex Niigata and Kyoto Sanga.

Despite pulling off a narrow 1-0 win over lower-league outfit Reilac Shiga in midweek Emperor’s Cup action, there’s no reason for optimism in the Albirex Niigata camp, considering they’re winless in their last three J1 League outings (D1, L2), conceding 2+ goals on each occasion. Furthermore, Rikizo Matsuhashi’s lads have blown hot and cold across eight home league matches this season (W3, D2, L3) and are winless in three of their last four such match-ups (D1, L2). With that in mind, Kyoto’s visit to the town is hardly encouraging for Alibrex, as they’ve failed to win six times in their seven most recent H2Hs on home turf (D4, L2), all competitions included.

In the meantime, Kyoto Sanga shockingly bowed out of the opening Emperor’s Cup round at the hands of lower-league Toyama after penalties (2-2 in regulation time), extending their dreadful losing run in all competitions to three matches. On top of that, the visitors have lost their last six league matches, netting under 1.5 goals in each, so it’s no wonder they commence this round only one point clear of rock-bottom Yokohama. Kyoto’s travel sickness could worsen the situation, with Cho Kwi-jae’s team suffering four defeats on their last five top-flight trips (D1), including three in a row by an aggregate score of 9-3 in the build-up to this clash.