It’s been a difficult start to the season for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, who are still in search of their first win this season and will desperately be hoping for full points when they host Gamba Osaka this weekend.
The match will be streamed live around the world, either on a domestic broadcaster or on JLeague.co, starting at 14:00 JST on Saturday.
Sapporo have been one of the Japan's most entertaining sides in recent years — for neutrals, at least — with a fearsome attack and a suspect rearguard leading to end-to-end matches and lots of goals.
Their defense has continued to struggle this season, with 15 goals conceded already in 2024, but the surprising element has been an attack that has mustered just three goals through six matches.
Consadole manager Mihailo Petrović has a defined style that will always lead to his team being on the front foot and the defense left open to the counter, but this season has seen a team unable to convert on the attacking end and very untidy when endeavoring to transition to a defensive posture.
The result? Just one point from their first six matches.
Gamba, by contrast, have seemingly turned the corner this season and refined their defensive shape. While they may be coming off a disappointing draw in midweek action against Kyoto Sanga, manager Dani Poyatos has finally put his stamp on a team that struggled to articulate their identity last year.
Unlike Consadole, the Gamba defense has been very strong in 2024, with just three goals allowed so far on the season and no losses across their first five results.
Dani Poyatos' side look reborn, as does talisman Takashi Usami who has chipped in on the attacking end with vintage performances and three of the team's five goals.
Gamba will need some help for Usami on the frontline if they are to truly break into the elite this season, but it's been a fantastic start for Osaka's Black and Blue so far.
Will Gamba continue their undefeated run? Or will Sapporo break through for their first win of the season? Find out live on JLeague.co!
