Gamba Osaka vs Tokyo FC 29/08/20

29 August 2020

Gamba Osaka and Tokyo FC go head-to-head at the Suita City Football Stadium this weekend for what might be a high-scoring J1 League affair. Indeed, three of their last four top-flight H2Hs have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet.

A 1-1 away draw with Kashima Antlers now means the hosts have won only once in their last four J1 League outings (D1, L2), three of which saw both teams get on the scoresheet. Although Gamba’s home league fixtures this season have been notably tight, it’s been ‘all or nothing’ for Tsuneyasu Miyamoto’s side so far (W3, L3). Indeed, five of their six J1 League home clashes this term have ended separating the adversaries by under 1.5 goals at FT, with four featuring over 2.5 goals and both sides hitting the net. In turn, six of their last seven top-flight H2Hs held at this venue have produced the full-time margin no greater than one goal (W3, D4).

Meanwhile, a 2-1 home defeat to Kashima at the midweek brought Tokyo’s four-game unbeaten league run to a halt (W2, D2). After a flying start to their J1 League away campaign (W3), the visitors have been held to four consecutive draws. However, slow-starting Tokyo have shipped the opening goal (if any) in five of seven league trips this season, which has been the case in two of their last three top-flight trips to Gamba. Interestingly, Kenta Hasegawa’s men have been either air-tight or notably vulnerable at the back recently, keeping a clean sheet in three of their last six league outings while conceding over 1.5 goals in the other three.