Kashiwa Reysol host Avispa Fukuoka at the Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium on Wednesday (May 22) in the J. League Cup. Kashiwa have had mixed results in the J1 League but will hope for better luck in the domestic cup.
They beat second-tier Thespa Gunma 3-1 in the previous round last month. Three players got on the scoresheet in the first half before Thespa bagged a late consolation goal.
Avispa, meanwhile, havenât fared any better than Kashiwa in the league. They needed penalties to see off third tier outfit Matsumoto Yamaga in the previous round of the cup following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
Kashiwa Reysol vs Avispa Fukuoka Head-to-Head
There have been 31 meetings between Kashiwa and Fukuoka. The hosts have won 18 times and lost seven.
The two sides last faced off in a league clash in September which Avispa won 3-1.
Kashiwa Form Guide (All Competitions): W-W-D-L-L
Fukuoka Form Guide (All Competitions): L-L-W-D-W
Kashiwa Reysol vs Avispa Fukuoka Team News
Kashiwa
Tomoki Takamine has been out of action since March due to injury and is expected to remain out this week. Yuto Yamada is also injured and will miss out.
Injured: Tomoki Takamine, Yuto Yamada
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Avispa
Yota Maejima and Daiki Miya are out with injuries.
Injured: Yota Maejima, Daiki Miya
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Kashiwa Reysol vs Avispa Fukuoka Predicted XIs
Kashiwa Predicted XI (4-4-2): Kenta Matsumoto; Hiroki Sekine, Tomoya Inukai, Taiyo Koga, Diego; Matheus Savio, Sachiro Toshima, Eiji Shirai, Tomoya Koyamatsu; Mao Hosoya, Kazuki Kumasawa
Fukuoka Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Masaaki Murakami; Douglas Grolli, Tatsuki Nara, Masaya Tashiro; Masato Yuzawa, Daiki Matsuoka, Hiroyuki Mae, Yuto Iwasaki; Kazuya Konno, Ryoga Sato; Wellington
Kashiwa Reysol vs Avispa Fukuoka Prediction
Kashiwa are on a run of back-to-back victories after going winless in four. They have lost just one of their last six home games.
Fukuoka, meanwhile, are on a run of consecutive losses after going undefeated in nine. They have, however, performed well in this fixture recently and should come out on top.
Prediction: Kashiwa 1-2 Avispa
