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The J League Cup is back with another round of knock-out fixtures this weekend as Cerezo Osaka take on Shonan Bellmare in the first of two legs on Saturday, 4 June. The two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes this season and will want to win this game.
Shonan Bellmare finished at the top of Group D in the cup but have largely struggled in the Japanese top flight. The away side eased past Vertfee Yaita by a 3-0 margin in the Emperor's Cup and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
Cerezo Osaka, on the other hand, are currently fifth in the J League table and have been fairly impressive this season. The hosts defeated Kansai University by a 3-1 margin in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.
Cerezo Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Head-to-Head
Cerezo Osaka have an impressive record against Shonan Bellmare, having won 12 out of the 19 matches played between the two teams. Shonan Bellmare have managed four victories against Cerezo Osaka and will need to cut the deficit on Saturday.
The previous meeting between the two sides took place last week and ended in a 2-0 victory in favor of Cerezo Osaka. Shonan Bellmare were outplayed on the day and will need to step up to the plate this weekend.
Cerezo Osaka form guide: W-W-W-W-D
Shonan Bellmare form guide: W-L-W-W-W
Cerezo Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Team News
Cerezo Osaka
Takuya Okamoto is the only injury concern for Cerezo Osaka and will not be available for selection. Adam Taggart found the back of the net against Shonan Bellmare last week and will lead the line in this match.
Injured: Takuya Okamoto
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Shonan Bellmare
Shonan Bellmare have a fully-fit squad at their disposal and will need to field their best players in this fixture. The away side is unlikely to make drastic changes to their team this weekend.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Cerezo Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Predicted XI
Cerezo Osaka (4-2-3-1): Jin Hyeon Kim; Ryuya Nishio, Ryosuke Yamanaka, Matej Jonjic, Hiroshi Kiyotake; Riki Harakawa, Hiroaki Okuno; Seiya Maikuma, Riki Matsuda, Jean Patrick Lima dos Reis; Adam Taggart
Shonan Bellmare (4-4-2): Kosei Tani; Taiga Hata, Daiki Sugioka, Hirokazu Ishihara, Kazuki Oiwa; Shuto Yamamoto, Takuji Yonemoto, Masaki Ikeda, Tarik Elyounoussi; Shuto Machino, Yuki Ohashi
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Cerezo Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Prediction
Cerezo Osaka have punched above their weight this season and are in contention to win the J League Cup. The hosts have excelled against Shonan Bellmare in the past and will need to sustain their momentum this weekend.
Shonan Bellmare, meanwhile, have improved over the past month but will need to play out of their skins in this fixture. Cerezo Osaka are the better team on paper and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: Cerezo Osaka 2-1 Shonan Bellmare
