Okayama and FC Tokyo will test whether an aggressive home press can survive a clean diagonal escape. Okayama can win high turnovers and use Lucão as the first contact, while Tokyo can release the opposite flank and return with set pieces. The final exchange depends on who turns those entries into accurate shots and then ends the next attack.
Okayama's Lucão and Esaka can make a direct chance from a loose ball, but its recent shot volume at Kawasaki yielded little on target and the high press exposed transitions. Tokyo's Inamura-to-Ishihara switch supplies a way past that press, with Ishihara's delivery meeting Okayama's repeated set-play concessions. Inamura and Ishihara actually played the last Tokyo match; the older squad injury tags were already present then, and no starting eleven is confirmed. Tokyo also have finishing roles to refresh the attack after the first goal. That's why I'm siding with FC Tokyo to win.
Kashima and Cerezo bring a different kind of exchange. Kashima can press the build-up and repeatedly enter through Bueno and Ogawa, while Cerezo can absorb that first wave before crossing into the space behind the fullback. Both teams have demonstrated ways to restart their supply after conceding.
Leo is named as returning for Kashima, while Kim's absence changes its central defence. Cerezo rotated seven starters in the cup and showed a later shape change that added box bodies; its left-side service can reach Sakuragawa and the second ball. Kashima can answer through Suzuki, Koike and corners after the first exchange. That's why I'm siding with both teams to keep producing goals beyond the first few attacks.
Melbourne City and Sydney FC should see the first pass and the next wide run contested throughout. City can use Mabil and Behich to gain territory, while Sydney's front press and right-side combinations can turn a loose exit into a chance. Both have already had to answer after an early concession.
City have produced box entries without sustained accuracy, and Sydney have already recovered through Youlley's central shot and Akon and Toure on the right. Hollman is a newer Sydney absence, but Kamijo started its last win; the other listed absences predated the league games and their replacements have played together. Marcondes helped City's derby response, yet Sydney's own second attacking wave has been demonstrated with this group. That's why I'm siding with Sydney FC to avoid defeat.
