Two teams battling at different ends of the J1 League table will clash in an important match on Saturday, as Consadole Sapporo hosts Vissel Kobe at the Sapporo Dome.
The home team finds itself at the bottom of the division after eight consecutive losses in the Japanese top flight, while their visitors are just one point away from second place, thanks to back-to-back victories in their recent outings.
Match Preview
Consadole Sapporo enters the weekend desperate to break their losing streak and stay competitive in the J1 League, having fallen far behind due to a series of defeats in recent months.
After securing safe mid-table finishes over the past five seasons in Japan’s top league, the 2024 campaign has been a nightmare for Consa, who have managed just 11 points from 22 matches, with only two wins and 15 losses.
Each of those two victories broke six-match winless streaks for the Hokkaido side, with the second win coming in mid-May, but they haven’t been able to replicate that success since. They now head into Saturday’s game on an eight-match losing run, conceding 17 goals while scoring only four.
Following three consecutive 1-0 defeats to Yokohama F Marinos, Tokyo FC, and Albirex Niigata in June, Mihailo Petrovic’s squad recently visited second-placed Kashima Antlers in the J1 League and left empty-handed again, with Shu Morooka and Tomoya Fujii scoring for the hosts in a 2-0 win. However, they did find some relief by winning their last match against Montedio Yamagata in the Emperor’s Cup third round.
Katsuyuki Tanaka and Yamato Okada both scored braces in that game, along with goals from Shingo Omori and Yoshiaki Komai in a 6-3 victory, but Consadole Sapporo now turns its focus back to the Japanese top league with an even more urgent situation. With an eight-point gap to 19th place and a 12-point gap to safety with 16 games left, they know that any hopes of a survival bid hinge on an improved performance in the coming weeks, starting with a crucial home win on Saturday.
However, this will be no easy feat, as their visitors aim to secure their third consecutive league victory to increase pressure on the leaders over the weekend.
After winning the J1 League title for the first time in 2023, Vissel Kobe is determined to defend their crown this year. After four consecutive wins in early May, their campaign took a hit with only one more victory from the following six matches, alongside two draws and three losses.
That slump left the Ushi with 34 points from 20 matches, six points behind league leaders Machida Zelvia before a key match against second-placed Kashima Antlers late last month. They managed to bounce back in that game, securing a 3-1 comeback victory with goals from Yoshinori Muto, Matheus Thuler, and Yuya Osako.
Their latest J1 League match was an away game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima last weekend, and Takayuki Yoshida’s team recorded another 3-1 victory. After going ahead through Osako and being pegged back, Rikuto Hirose restored their lead in the second half, with Hotaru Yamaguchi adding a third 19 minutes from time.
Now returning to action after their own Emperor’s Cup triumph, a 2-0 win over Tokushima Vortis with goals from Daiju Sasaki and Osako, Vissel Kobe sits fourth after 22 J1 League games. They are six points off the top spot and one point behind second-placed Kashima Antlers and third-placed Gamba Osaka. They aim to make it three consecutive top-flight wins to crack the top three and intensify their title defense pressure.
Team News
Consadole Sapporo continues to grapple with several injury issues heading into the weekend, with Yuya Asano, Ryota Aoki, Supachok Sarachat, and Hiroki Miyazawa all expected to remain sidelined.
Katsuyuki Tanaka and Yamato Okada will both push for starting spots after their midweek Emperor’s Cup heroics, having been on the bench in their last league outing against Kashima Antlers.
Yoshiaki Komai will keep playing a crucial role in supporting the lone striker, while July signing Leo Osaki might again be paired with Seiya Baba in their 3-4-2-1 formation.
Vissel Kobe might stick with the same starting lineup from their 3-1 victory away at Sanfrecce Hiroshima last weekend. Yuya Osaka is expected to lead the attack with confidence, having scored in three consecutive matches, including Wednesday’s Emperor’s Cup win, bringing his season tally to seven goals.
With top scorer Taisei Miyashiro still out due to injury, Osaka is likely to be joined up front in their 4-3-3 setup by Rikuto Hirose and Yoshinori Muto, who has also scored seven goals this term.
Hotaru Yamaguchi, who scored against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, will continue to play a key role in the midfield trio, while mainstays Thuler and Tetsushi Yamakawa will again partner in the heart of the defense.
Consadole Sapporo possible starting lineup: Sugeno; Takao, Okamura, Nakamura; H Tanaka, Osaki, Baba, K Tanaka; Komai, Okada; Suzuki
Vissel Kobe possible starting lineup: Maekawa; Hatsuse, Yamakawa, Thuler, Honda; Yamaguchi, Ogihara, Ide; Muto, Osako, Hirose
