Nagoya's press and Urawa's first pass should decide which team finds space outside the midfield crowd. Yokohama's first forward ball will determine whether Hiroshima can pin them and repeat wide deliveries. Tosu's home pressure faces a Kawasaki cup side that can score through both open play and restarts. Across these matches, the second attack after the first clearance or goal looks especially important.
Urawa's rotated cup side still connected passes to actual finishes, with Hayakawa and Sasa creating goals and other league runners available. Nagoya have produced many box entries, yet their advanced wingback space has also given opponents a first outlet. Asano's absence is old and already absorbed; Yamagishi played Nagoya's last match, so that home route remains real. I expect Urawa's wide release to keep answering Nagoya's pressure. That's why I'm siding with Urawa Reds.
Hiroshima have used wide service and different late receivers to finish attacks, while Yokohama have recently allowed crosses and rebounds to become goals. Yokohama can attack behind a wingback, yet its cup scorer Chinen is injured, Amano is out and Miidera's return consists of a short appearance. The exact cup teams are unannounced, so I lean on Hiroshima's observed supply rather than an assumed starter. I expect that pressure and the second contact to create the decisive finish. That's why I'm siding with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Tosu pressed and supplied chances from the right against J1 Fukuoka, then found another winner after the equaliser. Kawasaki's cup attack has strong set piece finishing, but Tosu's ability to renew attacks at home gives them a route to keep the score tight. Yoshida and Hyon both played Tosu's last game despite older doubtful tags; Kawasaki's Lacerda left injured but is not counted as absent. I expect Tosu to keep finding second balls and right side receivers even after Kawasaki's first attacking spell. That's why I'm siding with Sagan Tosu to stay close.
