National cups are something special for many teams and supporters. Today's match will decide whether it's Sagan Tosu or Avispa Fukuoka that keep their silverware dream alive.
There haven't been much time to rest for the hosts, as they played a J-League match only four days ago. At least it's nice to return home after that away game at Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Sagan Tosu form and stats
Sagan have reached this Emperor Cup stage through battling and winning against Roasso Kumamoto. Last season, Sagan Tosu's Emperor Cup journey ended in the quarter-finals.20 points is a decent return from 9 J-League games here at Ekimae Real Estate Stadium for Sagan Tosu. The data says 6 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.
Sagan shared the glory with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last match, an away game that ended all square 1-1. Park Il-Kyu, who guards the goal, was given a match rating of 8.01 out of 10 in that game. Il-Kyu stopped the opponent with six saves. The Sagan goalkeeper Park Il-Kyu was crucial in the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima last time out, making six saves. The hometeam coach M. Kim made a successful contribution in the game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, bringing on Noriyoshi Sakai who scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw.
Prior to that was the away defeat visiting Yokohama F. Marinos (0-2).This is expected to be a close game, with Sagan Tosu perhaps considered small favourites due to their home advantage. Looking back at earlier matches similar to this one (expected to be close with Sagan as a small favourite), we find twelve games. Sagan Tosu has won three of these, drawn four and lost five.
Sagan have proved capable of finding the net in their games here at Ekimae Real Estate Stadium with 16 goals in 9 league matches. Defensively Sagan Tosu have been outstanding, conceding less than half a goal on average per home game in the league (2 in 9 games). For more goal stats, check the Statistics tab above.
Avispa Fukuoka form and stats
The traveling awayteam has defeated Kagoshima United in order to reach 3rd round of Emperor Cup. Last season their Emperor Cup adventure ended in the 3rd round.Playing away, Avispa Fukuoka have won 3 games, drawn 5 and suffered 3 defeats in the J-League this season. Recent form does not give Avispa Fukuoka much hope, as the visitors have lost three games in a row. Sagan Tosu will be a tough nut to crack.
There might be some fixture complaints from Fukuoka as they are again playing away from home after losing on the road in their previous match, the J-League match against Urawa Reds (0-2). Masaaki Murakami (goalkeeper) was the best performer with a rating of 8.4. Murakami saved a penalty and stopped the opponent with seven saves. Avispa Fukuoka goalkeeper Masaaki Murakami had a great day against Urawa Reds, but despite making seven saves the loss could not be avoided.
A loss against Vissel Kobe was the result prior to that, in a J-League home game.So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with Fukuoka playing away and similar expectations, we found 16 relevant matches. Results were nine Avispa Fukuoka wins, two draws and five defeats.
The visitors will be packing their bags again in only three days as another away game awaits: The J-League trip to Yokohama F. Marinos.
Avispa Fukuoka find the net regularly in their away games. 12 goals from 11 away fixtures in the league. 14 goals have been conceded by Fukuoka in these games.
Head 2 Head
Numbers for the last ten meetings between these two teams are: three wins for Sagan Tosu, three draws and four wins for Avispa Fukuoka. Over 2,5 goals: five times; under 2,5 goals: five games.Top Goalscorers
  K. Yamashita 8 goals |  B. Pereira Mendes 5 goals | D. Hayashi 4 goals |
Sagan Tosu missing players
Avispa Fukuoka missing players
| Sagan Tosu | Avispa Fukuoka | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 13 | Played | P | 14 | 25 | ||
| 9 | 7 | Won | W | 4 | 11 | ||
| 8 | 3 | Drew | D | 7 | 7 | ||
| 8 | 3 | Lost | L | 3 | 7 | ||
| 29 | 20 | Scored | S | 15 | 36 | ||
| 25 | 10 | Conceded | C | 16 | 30 | ||
| 84% | 85% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 86% | 92% | ||
| 64% | 62% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 71% | 72% | ||
| 36% | 38% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 43% | 52% | ||
| 16% | 23% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 21% | 28% | ||
| 12% | 15% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 0% | 12% | ||
| 40% | 23% | BTTS | BTTS | 64% | 60% | ||
| 40% | 62% | Clean Sheets | C S | 29% | 36% | ||
| 36% | 31% | Failed to Score | F T | 21% | 12% | ||
| 3.9 | 4.5 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 3.9 | 4.5 | ||
| 4.1 | 4 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 6.4 | 6.5 | ||
| 1.1 | 1 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 1 | 1.2 | ||
| 2 | 0 | Red cards | R C | 1 | 2 | ||
| 8.4 | 9.4 | Shots (avg) | S ( | 7.6 | 8.6 | ||
| 3.2 | 4.1 | Shots on Target (avg) | S O | 3.1 | 3.4 | ||
| 36% | 38% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 35% | 42% | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Kawasaki Frontale | 21 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 5 | 36 | 55 |
| 2 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 19 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 21 | 43 |
| 3 | Vissel Kobe | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 32 | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 37 |
| 4 | Nagoya Grampus | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 37 |
| 5 | Urawa Reds | 21 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 35 |
| 6 | Sagan Tosu | 20 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 24 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 34 |
| 7 | Kashima Antlers | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 33 | 21 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 32 |
| 8 | Tokyo | 20 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 27 | 27 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 31 |
| 9 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 21 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 24 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 30 |
| 10 | Avispa Fukuoka | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 14 | -1 | 29 |
| 11 | Consadole Sapporo | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 25 |
| 12 | Cerezo Osaka | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 23 |
| 13 | Shonan Bellmare | 21 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 25 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 18 | -4 | 21 |
| 14 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 19 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 26 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 14 | -7 | 19 |
| 15 | Tokushima Vortis | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 15 | -9 | 19 |
| 16 | Kashiwa Reysol | 21 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 20 | 31 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 14 | -11 | 17 |
| 17 | Vegalta Sendai | 20 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 34 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 21 | -17 | 16 |
| 18 | Gamba Osaka | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -7 | 14 |
| 19 | Oita Trinita | 19 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 29 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 17 | -17 | 13 |
| 20 | Yokohama | 21 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 13 | 51 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 31 | -38 | 8 |