Shimizu S-Pulse host Sagan Tosu at the IAI Stadium Nihondaira in the J1 League on Sunday, with both sides having contrasting seasons so far.
Shimizu S-Pulse are currently bottom of the league, five points away from safety. Ze Ricardo's side have been in poor form of late, having lost six of their last 10 games across all competitions. They will hope to turn things around with a win against Sagan Tosu on Sunday.
Sagan Tosu, on the other hand, are currently ninth in the league, 11 points off the top three. Kenta Kawai's side have faltered of late and are winless in their last four games across all competitions. They will look to secure a win against Shimizu to break their winless streak.
Both sides will be looking to win the game for different reasons and that should make for an interesting contest.
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Sagan Tosu Head-to-Head
Sagan Tosu have slightly edged the recent head-to-head record between the two sides, having won one of their last five meetings, with the other four ending in draws.
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw the last time they met back in April.
Shimizu S-Pulse Form Guide: L-W-L-L-D
Sagan Tosu Form Guide: D-L-L-L-W
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Sagan Tosu Team News
Shimizu S-Pulse
Yuto Suzuki should make his return to the squad following a thigh injury earlier this month. Meanwhile, Renato Augusto, Togo Umeda and Kenta Nishizawa are all out injured.
Injured: Renato Augusto, Togo Umeda, Kenta Nishizawa
Doubtful: Yuto Suzuki
Suspended: None
Sagan Tosu
Diego will miss the game due to suspension. Apart from that, Kawai will have a full strength side to choose from for the game on Sunday.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Diego
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Sagan Tosu Predicted XI
Shimizu S-Pulse Predicted XI (4-4-2): Shuichi Gonda; Reon Yamahara, Yoshinori Suzuki, Yugo Tatsuta, Teruki Hara; Carlinhos, Kota Miyamoto, Ryohei Shirasaki, Takashi Inui; Thiago Santana, Yuta Kamiya
Sagan Tosu Predicted XI (4-4-2): Il-kyu Park; Yuto Iwasaki, Masaya Tashiro, Seok-ho Hwang, Wataru Harada; Fuchi Honda, Kei Koizumi, Akito Fukuta, Yuji Ono; Taisei Miyashiro, Yuki Kakita
$1,100 First Bet Insurance at Caesars
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Sagan Tosu Prediction
Despite both sides being in poor form of late, Sagan Tosu should have enough quality to come away with the win on Sunday.
We predict a tight game, with Sagan Tosu winning by a narrow margin.
Prediction: Shimizu S-Pulse 1-2 Sagan Tosu