🏏 Sun, 24 May 2026 12:55 JST
Fagiano Okayama
vs
Cerezo Osaka
3-4-2-1 vs 4-2-3-1
Substitutes
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Match Preview
- This direct clash between upper-table rivals Okayama (8th, 24 points) and Cerezo (9th, 23 points) is an important game for two sides eyeing an Asian competition place. Okayama have stayed in form with three wins, a draw and a loss in their last five, beating Shimizu 2-0 last time out. Cerezo are on a two-game winning run and routed Nagoya 6-1 last time, so both sides clash carrying momentum.
- In the Matchday 7 meeting at Cerezo's home, Okayama won 2-1. In that game Okayama took control despite playing away, and as hosts this time they will aim for back-to-back wins. For Cerezo, it is an important game to avenge the previous result and overtake their opponents.
- In the formation match-up of Okayama's 3-4-2-1 against Cerezo's 4-2-3-1, the battle in midfield will decide it. Okayama show creativity with former Japan international Atom Esaka (born 1992, a J.League Best XI selection in his former Kashiwa days) and Taiya Kimura as two shadow strikers. Cerezo control attack and defence from deep with a big double pivot of Shunta Tanaka (183cm, formerly of Sapporo) and Nelson Ishiwatari (185cm, formerly of Ehime FC).
- How will Cerezo's CB Shinnosuke Hatanaka (formerly of Yokohama F. Marinos, who played the full duration when they won the 2019 league title) and Colombian Dion Cools (185cm, who won the league with former club Club Brugge) cope with the height and physicality of Okayama's Brazilian forward Welick Popo (190cm, formerly of Red Bull Bragantino and a Copa Sao Paulo Golden Boot winner) leading the line? The aerial duel will be one of the highlights.
- Cerezo have Shinji Kagawa (formerly of Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United) on the bench, where he is expected to be a card to change the flow of the game. A legend of Japanese football who, with his abundant running and soft ball touch, can play even in tight spaces, he is highly likely to take the pitch at a decisive moment.
- Okayama have Masaya Matsumoto (formerly of Omiya Ardija) and Jun Nishikawa (a play-off goalscorer in their promotion to J1 and a one-club central player at Okayama) in reserve and likely to come on, with introductions late in the game anticipated. Nishikawa in particular is an iconic figure at Okayama who featured in every game in 2024, and his wide defensive range and finishing bring momentum to the team.
- Up front for Cerezo, Brazilian left winger Thiago Andrade (formerly of New York City FC, attacking from the left despite being right-footed) challenges Okayama's right-sider Kosuke Shirai (166cm, formerly of FC Tokyo and Kyoto) to a battle of pace. Okayama's left-sider Towa Yamane (formerly of Cerezo Osaka, 30 appearances in J1 in 2025) will be looking to score against his former club.