Sakura bloom, Tokyo doom? (Cerezo Osaka vs FC Tokyo prediction) | OneFootball

Cerezo Osaka vs FC Tokyo: Momentum Meets Desperation in J1 League Clash

Cerezo Osaka will look to build on their dramatic victory over Kashima when they host struggling FC Tokyo at Yodoko Sakura Stadium this Sunday in J1 League action.

Form Guide

Arthur Papas' Cerezo side enter the fixture with renewed confidence after breaking a 15-year home curse against Kashima with a stoppage-time winner from Ryosuke Shindo. That victory, which saw them dominate possession and have five goals disallowed before finally finding their breakthrough, lifted them to 13th in the table.

Meanwhile, FC Tokyo's worrying slide continues under Rikizo Matsuhashi. The capital club sit 17th after collecting just nine points from ten matches and remain winless in their last seven league outings. Their most recent result - a 1-1 draw with Kashiwa Reysol - did little to ease concerns about their precarious position.

Key Battles

The midfield contest looks set to be decisive, with Cerezo's Lucas Fernandes emerging as their creative fulcrum. The Brazilian completed 40 passes and won 13 duels in their victory over Kashima, continuing the form that made him last season's assist leader.

For the visitors, experienced midfielder Kento Hashimoto will be crucial in providing stability and distribution, with his 89.4% pass completion rate standing out in a team struggling for consistency.

In attack, Cerezo's Sota Kitano has been their standout performer with four goals and two assists in ten matches, while FC Tokyo have struggled for firepower, with new signing Kein Sato leading their charts with just two goals.

Team News

Cerezo have quickly integrated their January arrivals, with Brazilian duo Rafael Ratão and Thiago Andrade already establishing themselves in the starting lineup. The potential appearance of club icon Shinji Kagawa, who made a symbolic late cameo against Kashima, adds another dimension to Papas' options.

FC Tokyo received a significant blow with the news that midfielder Yuta Arai will be sidelined for nine months through injury. This setback further complicates matters for a team already struggling to find their rhythm.

Prediction

Cerezo's home form has been solid with two wins and two draws in their last four matches at Yodoko Sakura Stadium. Their newfound momentum and attacking intent should prove too much for a Tokyo side lacking confidence and struggling particularly in front of goal.

The hosts' ability to control possession through Lucas Fernandes and create chances for Kitano, Ratão and Andrade should ultimately prove decisive against a defence that has conceded 15 goals in ten matches.

Predicted Score: Cerezo Osaka 2-0 FC Tokyo