Mito need their first forward reception to give the rest of the team room to advance against Cerezo. Nagoya face a related contest against Urawa's front pressure, but their recent attacks have continued through crosses and recovered balls. Both matches should turn on the support arriving after the initial duel.
Cerezo have demonstrated several supply routes: Hernandez found Uejo and Sabbag in the previous cup tie, while Yokoyama and Fernandes combined after entering. Mito's recent problems concern both reaching useful shooting positions and defending another delivery after the first clearance. Mori's appointment introduces a new coach, while the unresolved injury histories involve players already missing from Mito's latest squad. Cerezo's Ohata and Irvine both returned to the last league starting team after earlier suspensions. I expect contested early exchanges followed by repeated Cerezo deliveries and attacking changes. That's why I'm siding with Cerezo Osaka, with a level finish returning that part of the stake.
Nagoya's latest draw contained sustained box pressure, and their rotated cup team had already created through Koda's runs and Ono's work on contested balls and rebounds. Urawa's cup press offers the reverse route: force a poor first touch, recover close to goal and send another runner into the box. Nagoya have also conceded from restarts and wide attacks, giving Urawa openings beyond patient possession.
Asano's injury is longstanding and already part of Nagoya's recent attacking setup. Yamagishi completed the last match and received a positive subsequent coach assessment; Minamino has returned briefly for Urawa, adding a selection option. I expect the press, escape and next delivery to keep creating attacking sequences as the match develops. That's why I'm backing a match with goals between Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Reds.
