Avispa Fukuoka vs Urawa Reds

Avispa Fukuoka host Urawa Reds in a fixture that means far more to the visitors. Four matchdays into the new 2026/27 J1 season, Urawa sit bottom of the table without a point, while Fukuoka have settled into a respectable mid-table spot after an up-and-down opening month. Under new manager Cho Kwi-jae, Urawa have lost every game so far, including a 1-4 hammering by Sanfrecce Hiroshima and a 1-0 defeat to Machida Zelvia, leaving the club under real early-season pressure. Fukuoka, managed by Tsukahara Shinya, have taken one win from three, with midfielder Miki Tomoya standing out for his work rate and duels won. Urawa forward Ado Onaiwu will be key to any turnaround. Historically this fixture has favored Urawa, who hold the edge in head-to-head meetings stretching back to 2006. Our prediction: 2-1