Avispa Fukuoka v Kyoto Purple Sanga

Avispa Fukuoka vs Kyoto Sanga Preview

Avispa Fukuoka moved up into sixth place in the J-League standings and just three points shy of third placed Gamba Osaka thanks to a 1-0 win on the road at FC Tokyo last week, while third from bottom club Kyoto Sanga also registered a welcome win away from home with a 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers Shonan Bellmare last week as well.

We are now just past the halfway stage of this Japanese top flight season and Avispa Fukuoka are currently enjoying a solid sequence of form and results as Shigetoshi Hasebe's side bring an encouraging six-game unbeaten sequence into this upcoming clash at their Best Denki Stadium which consists of five wins and a draw.

Victories over Albirex Niigata, Kashiwa Reysol, Sagan Tosu, Yokohama F. Marinos and FC Tokyo have contributed to Avispa Fukuoka's rise up the J-League table and another three points would see the hosts making in-roads into the top three of the division.

The bigger picture further underlines Avispa Fukuoka's consistent string of results as the hosts have been handed just two defeats within their last 16 matches overall in the domestic top flight, along with losing just once in their last eight games at their Best Denki Stadium as well.

Kyoto Sanga handed themselves a lifeline in their bid to avoid relegation down to J-League 2 after picking up what could prove to be a valuable three points in last week's 1-0 win on the road at Shonan Bellmare which has helped lift the visitors up into a third from bottom position and now just two points adrift of safety.

After having had to endure a dismal five-match losing streak previously from the start of May through to mid-May which consisted of defeats dealt to them by the likes of FC Tokyo, Machida Zelvia, Avispa Fukuoka (away), Urawa Reds and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Cho Kwi-Jae's side have since managed to steady the ship.

Just one further defeat in their subsequent six matches represents a stubborn improvement by the visitors but only includes two wins which have been registered against Consadole Sapporo and Shonan Bellmare, both of whom also occupy a place in the bottom three of the J-League table.

The bigger picture of results away from home though underline Kyoto Sanga's trials and tribulations on the road as the visitors have managed to capture just four wins in their previous 19 outings on their travels overall.

Avispa Fukuoka v Kyoto Sanga Verdict

Avispa Fukuoka have held the upper hand over Kyoto Sanga in previous encounters as the hosts have won five of the last six meetings and the hosts look the more likely to take the spoils here with winning momentum behind them.

Therefore, our main bet will be Avispa Fukuoka win @ 2.10

Other side bets worth considering:

Avispa Fukuoka win & Under 2.5 goals @ 3.75

Correct Score: Avispa Fukuoka 1-0 @ 6.00