Consadole Sapporo vs Kashiwa Reysol

Consadole Sapporo play host to Kashiwa Reysol at the Sapporo Atsubetsu Stadium in an enthralling top-half J1 League showdown.

Despite alternating between winning (3) and not winning (2) across their last five J1 League matches, Consadole Sapporo are still within a five-point distance of third-placed Yokohama F. Marinos. Playing at home may help them whittle down that gap, as they’ve gone from drawing their inaugural four J1 League home games to winning the last two in a row by the same 1-0 scoreline. Conceding first may put a significant dent in Sapporo’s winning prospects, as they’ve only won one out of five J1 League fixtures when falling behind this term (D2, L2). The ‘Consa’ could find additional confidence in that they won their most recent home league meeting with Kashiwa after losing two on the trot beforehand.

In the meantime, Kashiwa Reysol have seemingly run out of steam following a flying start to the season, as they’ll take the field winless in three J1 League games (D2, L1). Yet, a four-point deficit on Yokohama gives them all to play for at Sapporo, especially considering they’re looking to improve a topsy-turvy away league record this term (W3, D2, L2). Interestingly, none of Kashiwa’s seven J1 League fixtures in which they conceded the opening goal this season have ended level (W2, L5). Yet, a 71% loss ratio in such match-ups suggests the visitors are better off flying out of the traps if they are to get back to winning ways.