Sanfrecce Hiroshima will host Gamba Osaka at the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Emperor's Cup. The home side were knocked out of the J League Cup in their most recent outing and will hope they can find better luck elsewhere this week.
They traded tackles with second-tier side Ehime FC in the previous round of the Emperor's Cup and picked up a largely comfortable 2-0 victory featuring goals from former Udinese man Tolgay Arslan and Mutsuki Kato.
Gamba Osaka have had mixed results in recent games although they remain on the hunt for their first Emperor's Cup title since 2015. They beat Shonan Bellmare 3-2 last time out in the cup competition, falling behind twice in the first half and coming back to draw level on both occasions before Shinnosuke Nakatani scored the game-winner 15 minutes from normal time.
The visitors last appeared at this stage of the tournament back in 2021, losing 2-0 to eventual champions Urawa Red Diamonds.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Wednesday's game will mark the 80th meeting between Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka. The hosts have won 28 of their previous matchups while the visitors have won 34 times.
- There have been 17 draws between the two teams including their most recent matchup which ended 1-1.
- The hosts are undefeated in their last four competitive games in this fixture.
- The visitors are without a clean sheet in their last five games in this fixture.
- Sanfrecce are the highest-scoring side in the Japanese top flight this season with a goal tally of 53.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka Prediction
Hiroshima's latest result ended a 10-game winning streak in competitive action and they will be looking to bounce back here. They have won all but one of their last seven games on home turf and will fancy their chances ahead of the midweek clash.
Gamba Osaka are on a five-game unbeaten streak, although they have won just one of their last six competitive outings. They have struggled for results in this fixture of late and could see defeat on Wednesday.
Prediction: Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 Gamba Osaka
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Sanfrecce Hiroshima to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Four of the last five matches between the two teams have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: YES (Both sides have found the back of the net in four of their last five matchups)