Urawa Red Diamonds vs Avispa Fukuoka Prediction: The Reds' Time For Redemption Has Finally Arrived

With the international break over, the iconic Saitama Stadium will see the resumption of J1 League football unfold on Saturday as the Urawa Red Diamonds play host to Avispa Fukuoka in the 33rd round.

Having failed to clinch the J.League YBC Levain Cup after losing to Avispa Fukuoka in the final, Urawa Red Diamonds are on a redemption-seeking mission and, more importantly, will be out to consolidate their third place in the J1 League standings by claiming a comfortable win in this one.

Let's have a look at the latest J1 League predictions between Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Avispa Fukuoka, probable lineups, match facts and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Urawa Red Diamonds

Form: LDWDW

The phrase "Once bitten, twice shy" has not been applicable to the Urawa Red Diamonds in their past matches across all competitions. The Reds have suffered three successive 2-1 defeats against Avisap Fukuoka (J.League Cup final), Pohang Steelers (AFC Champions League group stage), and Vissel Kobe (J1 League). It's also worth noting that they are winless in five matches across all competitions.

However, league form scripts a different narrative of a team that has shown consistency, with one defeat suffered in nine matches alongside four wins and four draws. At the Saitama Stadium, they've been steadfast, with one loss in twelve matches while recording six draws and five wins.

With 54 points collected from 32 matches played, the Urawa Red Diamonds sit third in the J1 League standings, two points ahead of fourth-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima and eleven points behind first-placed Vissel Kobe.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

S. Nishikawa; T. Ogiwara, M. Høibråten, T. Iwanami, T. Akimoto; Y. Koizumi, K. Iwao, A. Ito, K. Yasui; J. Kante, E. Panya

Avispa Fukuoka

Form: WLLDW

Avispa Fukuoka, on the other hand, put an end to a three-match winless run in the league as they sent Gamba Osaka to the deepest trench with a narrow 2-1 win on the road. This comes after a history-worthy occasion in the J.League YBC Levain Cup final, where they defeated their adversaries 2-1 at home to clinch their first ever J.League YBC Levain Cup in club history.

On foreign territory, they have set the stage ablaze with their impressive performance, boasting six wins from eight matches alongside a mere two losses. However, in this fixture, they have found winning elusive, going six matches without a win, and that alone is enough to disrupt their momentum.

With 48 points collected from 32 matches played, Avispa Fukuoka sits eighth in the J1 League standings, four points ahead of ninth-placed Kawasaki Frontale and six points ahead of their opponents in this impending encounter.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-2-1

M. Murakami; D. Miya, M. Tashiro, D. Grolli; I. Oda, H. Mae, Y. Ideguchi, Y. Maejima; T. Kanamori, K. Konno; Y. Yamagishi

Match Facts

• Urawa Red Diamonds are winless in five matches across all competitions (L4 D1).
• Avispa Fukuoka has scored a goal in four consecutive away matches in the J1 League
• Urawa Red Diamonds averages 1.44 goals per game when playing at home, and Avispa Fukuoka averages 1.19 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 15 meetings, Urawa Red Diamonds have won nine times, Avispa Fukuoka has won two times, and there have been four draws, with the goal difference being 22-10 in favor of Urawa Red Diamonds.

Expert Betting Tips

Urawa Red Diamonds have been presented with the perfect opportunity to redeem themselves against a side that may have denied them a trophy this season, with their aspirations for clinching this season's title hanging like a thread.

The home side has won five of their last six home matches in this fixture and should be able to claim maximum points. As such, we expect a comfortable win for the Red Devils when all is said and done by picking them up in the full-time market.

• W1 for 1.75
• Result & Both Teams To Score - Urawa Red Diamonds/Yes for 4.75
• Home To Score In Both Halves - Yes for 3.30