Match details:

Sagan Tosu (H) vs Gamba Osaka (A)

Date: 7th Oct 2020

Time: 3:30 pm IST

Venue: Ekimae Real Estate Stadium (Tosu)

Competition: J1 League

Preview:

In this fixture, we will see 14th placed Sagan Tosu host 5th placed Gamba Osaka. Sagan Tosu succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Hiroshima in their last game, meanwhile, Osaka had a 4th win in a row as they defeated Kashima 0-2.

Key stats & info:

• Gamba Osaka have managed to continue their winning form as they have 4 wins in a row.
• Sagan Tosu are under a poor spell of form as they have 3 losses, 1 draw & 1 win in last 5 games.
• Their recent head-to-head record is pretty even, as in a total of 17 fixtures played, Sagan Tosu have won 7 & Gamba Osaka have won 9 & 1 has ended in a draw.

Probable playing XI: 

Sagan Tosu

Nishikawa, T. Makino, T. Deng, D. Hashioka, Y. Kashiwagi, T. Ugajin, K. Nagasawa, Leonardo, K. Shibato, S. Koroki, Muto.

Gamba Osaka

Langerak (GK), Y. Yoshida, Y. Maruyama, K. Miyahara, S. Nakatani, T. Yonemoto, H. Abe, S. Inagaki, M. Kanazaki, Mateus, N. Maeda.

Top picks: 

K Ishii (TSU): The 20-year old Japanese youngster has been playing for Sagan since his teenage days. This season he has been called in to fill up the depleted squad, he plays in a twin striking pair upfront. Ishii has the pace & technicality to get inside the box to score & the tactical reading to thread key passes. His tally of 3 goals & 3 assists in J1 League so far is impressive.

Usami (OSA): The 28-year old Japanese national has been playing for Osaka since the last 2 years. He has blended well in the attacking front as he is deployed as a striker upfront in a twin striking team, or as number 10. His ability to dribble past defences & score goals is uncanny. So far, he has scored 4 goals & provided 3 assists.

Kurata (OSA): The 31-year old Japanese has been playing for Osaka for the majority of his career. He is deployed as LM/AML/LW, Kuruta is versatile with his attack. He is capable of playing it wide as well as cutting inside. His dribbling & pace allows with the option so choose, combed with his clinical finishing & accurate crosses he is more than capable to finishing & scoring as well which is seen in his 3 goals and 3 assists in the J1 League this season.

Captain & vice-captain options: 

• T Usami
• S Kurata
• Patric
• K Ishii

Dream11 team:

Source for stats:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.in/

https://www.whoscored.com/

https://int.soccerway.com/

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn