Imabari and Kofu have useful attacking connections meeting defences that have struggled to protect the next entry. Their wide players can create space for central receivers as well as stretch the recovery distances behind them. In Melbourne, the key contest is who can receive and combine after the first press has been bypassed.
Mori's carries and Komai or Palocevic's delivery give Imabari a route into Edigar. Kofu's attacking wing-backs, Kumakura and Mizuno, provide a separate route toward Naito, whose close-range connection at Oita produced an equaliser and another opportunity. Both teams have recently allowed attacks to continue after the first ball was defended.
The reported surgery absences on both sides already applied to their latest squads. Gomes is eligible again after suspension, adding a first-contact defensive option for Imabari. I expect the first goal to encourage further attacking commitment, with fresh runners contributing later. I'm siding with goals in Imabari against Kofu, through an exchange and a deciding finish or a sustained scoring spell from one team.
Sydney's midfield continued to supply attacks without Hollman: Youlley scored from outside the area, and Akon, Toure and Sunday combined for a separate close-range winner. City's derby concession came through a long pass and a quick combination beyond their initial pressure. Sydney's current connections have a clear opponent-specific target.
Both clubs' confirmed absentees already missed their latest squads. City's Marcondes, Cascante and Leckie are building minutes; Marcondes's derby combination with Memeti and Nabbout showed how that changes their attack. I expect spells of pressure from each side, followed by opportunities for the forward receiver and later substitutes. That's why I'm siding with Sydney FC to avoid defeat.
