Preview: Gamba Osaka vs. FC Tokyo - prediction, team news, lineups

Gamba Osaka will look to claim a third consecutive league victory when they play host to FC Tokyo on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the J1 League after losing their last two top-flight matches by a 3-2 scoreline.

Match preview

After winning just one of their opening 14 league matches, Gamba Osaka were left propping up the bottom of the table.

However, they have managed to claim consecutive away victories over Albirex Niigata and Avispa Fukuoka to move up to 15th position.

Although they would have taken confidence from those two results, Gamba Osaka suffered a setback in midweek when they were dumped out of the Emperor's Cup by fourth-tier Kochi United.

Dani Poyatos's side will now turn their attention to Saturday's contest where they will have the chance to claim three consecutive league victories for the first time since the end of the 2021 season.

This will be the third time that Gamba Osaka have played Tokyo this season after playing them on two occasions in the J-League Cup, and they managed to cruise to a 3-0 home win before losing the away meeting by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

As for the visitors, they have gone three league games without a victory after their winless run was extended by Yokohama F. Marinos last weekend.

After falling behind in the first minute, Diego Oliveira netted a brace to give Tokyo a 2-1 lead at the half-time interval.

However, Yokohama fought back in the second half, scoring in the 62nd and 89th minutes to condemn Tokyo to a 3-2 defeat, leaving Albert Puig's side in 12th position.

After suffering consecutive defeats, Tokyo bounced back in midweek, claiming a 3-1 victory over Fukushima United in the second round of the Emperor's Cup.

Having won just one of their previous nine away league matches this season, Tokyo may have their work cut out if they are to follow up Wednesday's cup win with another victory on Sunday.

Team News

Kwon Kyung-won returned from injury in Gamba Osaka's midweek cup win, but after being forced off inside 17 minutes, the defender is likely to miss Sunday's encounter.

Having started the last two matches, Genta Miura is expected to retain his place in central defence alongside Yota Sato.

Juan Alano has scored in his previous two league games, and he will be looking to continue his fine form when he features in the forward line.

As for Tokyo, they are unable to call upon the services of Hotaka Nakamura and Kashif Bangnagande, who are both sidelined with injury issues.

Kei Koizumi missed the cup win over Fukushima with a knee problem, and he is expected to remain sidelined for Sunday's contest.

After being shown a straight red card against Yokohama last weekend, Kuryu Matsuki will miss out through suspension.

Gamba Osaka possible starting lineup:

Higashiguchi; Fukuoka, Miura, Sato, Handa; Dawhan, Lavi, Yamamoto; Alano, Kurata, Jebali

FC Tokyo possible starting lineup:

Slowik; Nagatomo, Kimoto, Morishige, Tokumoto; Tsukagawa, Aoki, Abe; Nakagawa, Watanebe, Oliveira

We say: Gamba Osaka 2-1 FC Tokyo

Although they suffered a surprise cup defeat in midweek, Gamba Osaka have won their last two home league games, and we think that they will claim a narrow victory over a Tokyo side who have lost three of their previous four away matches in the top flight.

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