Nagoya and Urawa bring different but compatible ways of reaching dangerous areas. Nagoya's wide attacks and central arrivals meet an opponent with productive forward combinations of its own. Hiroshima's visit to Marinos centres on another recurring action: whether the defending side can end the attack after the first clearance.
Nagoya's recent draws contained more attacking substance than the scorelines alone suggest. Uchida's cross found Nakayama against Cerezo, while Takamine's delivery after a corner reached Yamagishi against Marinos. Urawa's previous cup side also completed several combinations through Hidano, Sasa, Komori and Hayakawa.
Yamagishi finished the preceding match and scored despite his hand injury, with subsequent coach reporting supporting his availability. Minamino has returned as a substitute for Urawa, adding an option to the already demonstrated cup combinations. As the opening press gives way to changes and wider recovery distances, both attacks have routes into the spaces the other leaves. I'm expecting goals in Nagoya against Urawa.
Hiroshima's recent supply has reached several different receivers: Suga found Matsumoto and Asano, and Matsumoto then released Suzuki against Shimizu. Marinos conceded equalisers from renewed corner attacks in consecutive matches and allowed substantial box access at Nagoya. That makes the second attacking phase a particularly relevant matchup.
Amano is excluded from this match and Chinen's recent injury narrows Marinos' midfield options, while Miidera's return adds an attacking runner. Hiroshima's Kim returned alongside Araki and Nakano in the latest league game, a defensive combination also used in the previous cup round. I expect Hiroshima's repeated deliveries and later attacking options to keep testing the home side's ability to clear and move out. That's why I'm siding with Hiroshima to win.
