Gamba Osaka vs Yokohama F. Marinos

Panasonic Stadium Suita plays host to a handsomely-looking J1 League showdown between Gamba Osaka and table-topping Yokohama F. Marinos.

It took Gamba Osaka extra-time to beat Gifu 4-2 in the previous Emperor’s Cup round, helping them end an underwhelming run of three consecutive defeats in domestic action. However, things are not going smoothly for the hosts in the J1 League. After racking up a three-game unbeaten streak (W2, D1), they have lost their last two league games, despite scoring in each. Gamba’s last three home league outings have seen one or both sides fail to get on the scoresheet in matches garnering under 2.5 total goals (W1, D1, L1). Though it may highlight the potential for a low-scoring contest, six of Gamba’s last seven home league meetings with Yokohama have witnessed 3+ goals and both sides scoring.

On the other hand, Yokohama Marinos have enjoyed a noticeable upturn in form going into this clash. They have gone from two successive league matches without winning (D1, L1) to back-to-back victories, both of which yielded the identical 2-0 scoreline. Adding to the visitors’ confidence, they have only lost one of their last five J1 League fixtures held on hostile turf (W3, D1). That’s mainly thanks to their free-scoring attack that impressively netted 2+ goals in four of those five games, averaging three per match. It has also been the case in two of Yokohama’s last three league visits to Gamba.