Tosu keep losing the same way, and Akita are built to make it happen again. Tosu get plenty of the ball and the shots, but compact sides that press and break have been beating them. Akita play exactly like that, and they get Tosu at the end of a draining run of fixtures.
Look at Tosu's last few league games. They lost 0-2 at Yamagata with 23 shots, 0-1 at Imabari with 17, and 1-3 at home to Iwaki with two-thirds of the ball. The local preview said they struggled with Yamagata's disciplined defending and counters. Their coach is asking his players to win the ball back harder than the opponent.
Akita are described as a high-pressing side that attacks quickly in transition. They've taken points steadily lately: a 4-1 home win over Tokushima, a draw at Shonan and a 2-2 with Niigata.
Then there's the calendar. Tosu played on Sep 19, went to Kobe for the Emperor's Cup on Sep 23, played again on Sep 26, and then needed extra time to beat Verdy in the League Cup on Sep 29. Akita have had almost eight days to prepare. Tosu are also without forward Suzuki Daichi, who has fractures in his lower back.
Tosu won both meetings last season, but that was a different campaign with a different schedule. The setup for this match favours the home side.
