Nagoya Grampus vs Albirex Niigata

Toyota Stadium forms the backdrop of a J1 League relegation six-pointer between Nagoya Grampus and Albirex Niigata.

Last season’s 11th-place finish looks so distant for Nagoya from the current point of view. Despite beating Urawa Reds 2-1 to extend their unbeaten league run to five games (W2, D3), the hosts head into proceedings frantically looking over their shoulders, with 18th-placed Yokohama FC only a point behind. Relegation to the second tier for the first time since 2017 would be a disaster for the 2010 champions. However, they’ve fared reasonably well at home, going unbeaten in six of their eight league matches (W4, D2, L2). Still, they’ve delivered a mixed bag of performance in their last three such fixtures (W1, D1, L1), with both games (won/lost) producing the same 2-1 scoreline and seeing the winner overturn a deficit to take three points.

Meanwhile, Albirex Niigata seemingly face another season-long fight against the drop after finishing 16th last term. The visitors enter this round three points adrift of safety after beating Shonan Bellmare 2-1 at home to halt a three-game winless league streak (D1, L2). Interestingly, two of Niigata’s three top-flight wins this season have come on the road. Indeed, they had avoided defeat on three consecutive J1 League travels (W2, D1) before falling to a 2-1 loss at newly promoted Okayama. Despite their away record (W2, D2, L4) – given the circumstances – they’ve struggled for goals, netting just six in eight league games outside the Denka Big Swan Stadium.