Urawa Reds vs Tokyo Verdy

Urawa Reds host Tokyo Verdy at Saitama Stadium 2002 in a fixture both sides need. Neither has caught fire this J1 League season, and with the table bunched below the leaders, three points would offer real breathing room heading into the autumn stretch. Form favours neither club right now, though Verdy's dip is the deeper one. They head into this game off a 0-2 home defeat to Vissel Kobe and remain without a win in several league outings. Urawa at least have a recent lift, having beaten Kashima Antlers 1-0 last time out. Summer signing Harumi Minamino has been Urawa's main attacking spark, leading the squad in goals since joining. Verdy will look to Naoki Hayashi and creator Soma Meshino for answers. Recent head-to-head meetings between these two clubs have generally favoured the hosts. Our prediction: 2-0