Cerezo Osaka v Kyoto Sanga, J1 League

The big picture

Cerezo Osaka come in 11th on the ladder with 17 points; Kyoto Sanga are 12th on 16. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.

Cerezo Osaka are 15–12–6 in J1 League 2026, averaging 1.3 goals for and 1.4 against.

Kyoto Sanga are 12–18–4 in J1 League 2026, averaging 1.2 goals for and 1.6 against.

Form

Cerezo Osaka have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to Kashima Antlers 1–4.

Kyoto Sanga have won three of their last five and most recently beat Nagoya Grampus 2–0.

Head to head

These sides have met 10 times on our records since 2022: Cerezo Osaka 4, Kyoto Sanga 3, 3 drawn.

Last time out (2026), Cerezo Osaka won 3–0 at Yanmar Stadium Nagai.

Biggest margin between these two: Cerezo Osaka by 3 goals in 2026 (3–0).

Players to watch

For Cerezo Osaka, watch Soromon Sakuragawa (12 goals, 1 assist in 2026) and Thiago (7 goals in 2026).

For Kyoto Sanga, watch Alex Negueba (2 goals, 1 assist in 2026-27) and Hisashi Appiah Tawiah (1 goal in 2026-27).

At Yodoko Sakura Stadium

Cerezo Osaka have won 9 of their last 17 at Yodoko Sakura Stadium.

The deeper numbers

Cerezo Osaka have never beaten Kyoto Sanga at Yodoko Sakura Stadium (0 from 4).

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Kyoto Sanga have the edge.