Avispa Fukuoka’s phenomenal season has hit a bit of a speed bump, with losses in their last two league contests, and if they are going to get back on track this weekend, it will require beating an Urawa Reds side that is on the heels of the top four.

Urawa enter the match just three points off of fourth place and are one of the league’s in-form teams thanks in large part to forward Kasper Junker. The Dane has scored seven goals in as many league matches since joining Urawa and is unquestionably the hottest scorer in Japan right now.

With Junker leading the way, the Reds are one of the most dangerous sides in the league, but they are not unbeatable. Urawa most recently tasted defeat in a 3-2 loss to Shonan Bellmare, when Junker scored a pair but the defense conceded two late goals to drop the match. And when Urawa met Avispa at the beginning of May, it was Fukuoka who came out on top thanks to an early Bruno Mendes goal and a late John Mary tally.

Avispa will be hoping that they can replicate that early previous victory over Urawa. They had only 24% of the possession in that contest, but they were resolute at the back and managed to turn their minimal time on the ball into good shots. That’s been their recipe for success this season, when they’ve been as high as fifth in the table before this recent downturn that has them in ninth.

If Avispa get back on track this weekend, it will likely be because of a return to form in their defense. Will they be able to do it and start moving back up the table, or will Junker stay red hot and get Urawa closer to the top four? Find out this weekend in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE!