The big picture

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

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

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

Form

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

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

Head to head

These sides have met 10 times on our records since 2022: Kyoto Sanga 3, Cerezo Osaka 4, 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 Kyoto Sanga, watch Alex Negueba (0.5 goals a game, 1 assist in 2026-27) and Hisashi Appiah Tawiah (0.3 goals a game in 2026-27).

For Cerezo Osaka, watch Soromon Sakuragawa (0.4 goals a game, 1 assist in 2026) and Thiago (0.3 goals a game in 2026).

At Sanga Stadium by Kyocera

Kyoto Sanga have won 10 of their last 19 at Sanga Stadium by Kyocera.

What the numbers say

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