Kyoto Sanga vs Urawa Reds Predictions

Kyoto Sanga, managed by Cho Kwi-jae, narrowly avoided relegation in 2024, finishing 17th with 35 points from 38 matches. Their season ended with a 2-0 loss to Consadole Sapporo on December 8, but a late surge (3W, 1D in their final 5) secured survival. At home, they were inconsistent, winning six of 19 league games in 2024 (6W, 4D, 9L), though they scored in 13 of those. Preseason saw a 3-1 friendly win over J2 side Roasso Kumamoto on February 10, with Taichi Hara and Yuta Toyokawa on target. Injuries to Hidehiro Sugai (knee) and Kazunari Ichimi (ankle) persist, but new signing Rikuto Iida from Vissel Kobe strengthens the backline. Hara (9 goals in 2024) and Toyokawa (7 goals) remain key threats.

Urawa Reds, under Per-Mathias Høgmo, aim to reclaim their title-contending status after finishing 8th in 2024 with 49 points from 38 matches. Their campaign closed with a 2-1 win over Gamba Osaka on December 8, where Thiago Santana and Tomoaki Okubo scored, capping a solid run (3W, 1D in their last 5). Away form was decent (5W, 6D, 8L), with 19 goals scored on the road. Preseason included a 2-0 win over JEF United Chiba on February 11, though injuries to Kaito Yasui (hamstring) and Alexander Scholz (foot) are concerns. Offseason signings like ex-Brighton striker Deniz Undav add firepower to a squad featuring Santana (13 goals in 2024) and Yusuke Matsuo. Urawa’s early exit from the AFC Champions League Elite (2-1 loss to Johor Darul Ta’zim on February 11) sharpens their domestic focus.

Historically, Urawa dominate this fixture, winning 17 of 31 meetings (Kyoto: 7W, 7D), including a 3-0 rout in their last clash at Saitama Stadium on September 15, 2024. Kyoto’s lone home win in the last five head-to-heads (2-0 in May 2023) offers hope, but Urawa’s superior squad depth (market value: €35M vs. Kyoto’s €15M) and attacking prowess (39 goals in 2024 vs. Kyoto’s 32) give them an edge. Kyoto’s high-pressing style could test Urawa’s depleted defense, but the Reds’ counterattacking threat may prove decisive.

Our Kyoto Sanga vs Urawa Reds Prediction

Our todays prediction for Kyoto Sanga vs Urawa Reds, J1 League is:

TIP 1: Total Away - Over 1