Cerezo Osaka

vs

Tokyo Verdy 1969

Preview

Cerezo Osaka

• Cerezo Osaka have 3 wins in their last 5 games and are likely to make it to the top five in the J League 2026/2027 table after Sunday's game against Tokyo Verdy 1969 at the Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Japan.
• The Sakura are coming off back-to-back results in the form of a 1-0 away loss to Vissel Kobe and a 2-0 home win over Kashiwa Reysol, and are on the up.
• Pablo Machín has his Cerezo team playing a compact, narrow game, pressing intensely and looking to win the ball back as close to their own half as possible.
• When they get it, they look to spring forward quickly with a fast pace and vertical play.

Tokyo Verdy 1969

• Tokyo Verdy 1969 have 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats from their last 5, and pressure is beginning to build on the club as they sit 19th in the J League 2026/2027 after just 2 points from 5 games.
• They have yet to score away from home in the J League 2026/2027 and are yet to get their first away win.

Head-to-Head

• The 2 most recent head-to-head meetings have finished 1-1, so Cerezo Osaka are in with a chance to maintain the rivalry's even record on Sunday.
• Cerezo's home record in the J League 2026/2027 is solid with 3 wins from 3 and 0 defeats and an average of 1.67 goals scored and only 0.33 goals conceded, which is tidy in both departments.

Key Players

• Cerezo Osaka
  • Solomon Sakuragawa is Cerezo's main outlet in attack with 3 goals in 5 J League 2026/2027 games, 2 in the last 5 games.
• Tokyo Verdy 1969
  • Naoki Hayashi has provided the main goal threat for Verdy with 1 goal in 5 J League 2026/2027 appearances so far while Itsuki Someno has contributed 1 assist and some creativity.