Avispa Fukuoka
- Avispa Fukuoka are in the middle of a poor run of results and could find it tough to get a win at home to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday.
- Avispa press in midfield, they hold their shape and play on the counter-attack more than trying to dominate games for long periods.
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That has worked to a point, with Fukuoka 18th in the J League 2026/2027 standings with four points from seven games compared to Sanfrecce Hiroshima's fourth-place standing and 14 points from as many matches.
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Recent form:
- Avispa have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five matches.
- The home side have won once, drawn once and lost twice on their home turf, so they are yet to make their home ground a fortress.
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Recent form:
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima are in better form than Avispa Fukuoka with three wins, one draw and one defeat from their last five games.
- Sanfrecce have won one of their three away games in J League 2026/2027, scoring six goals.
Head-to-Head
- Avispa have won three of the last five meetings between the teams, but Sanfrecce have won twice and there have been no draws.
- Avispa won the last home meeting between the sides 6-5 four months ago and have taken two of the three most recent clashes at this ground.
Key Players
- Shu Morooka is Avispa's top scorer in the J League 2026/2027 with three goals in seven games and has scored two of his side's three goals in their last five, but Akito Suzuki is the real threat for Sanfrecce.
- He has scored six goals in his first seven appearances of the season and always seems to be in the right place at the right time to score.
Betting Insights
- Odds: Sanfrecce 1.85, hosts 3.9, draw 3.7.
- Back Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.67 and Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 as the top value bets here, while a Sanfrecce win should be the outcome.
Prediction
- The visitors have a good chance to win this game if their pressing and high wing-backs cause Avispa to lose their shape as they are likely to do if they come under pressure.
- Sanfrecce lost 3-2 away to Fagiano Okayama before a thumping 6-1 win at home to Cerezo Osaka last time out, so they are in stronger nick and can win this if the game remains close.