Kyoto Sanga vs Ratchaburi Predictions
Kyoto Sanga welcome Ratchaburi to Japan in the second round of AFC Champions League Elite fixtures.
The hosts have struggled in front of goal in recent weeks, and another tight encounter could be on the cards.
Under 2.5 goals is my best bet.
Low-Scoring Contest Expected in Japan
- Kyoto Sanga have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches (all competitions)
- Kyoto Sanga scored 1 goal or less in 6 of their last 7 matches (all competitions)
- Ratchaburi have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 away matches
Kyoto and Ratchaburi Set For First-Ever Encounter
Kyoto Sanga and Ratchaburi have not previously met in a competitive fixture.
Kyoto Sanga Suffer Late Machida Defeat
Kyoto Sanga return to continental action after a frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Machida Zelvia in the J1L on Saturday.
Takahiro Akimoto scored the only goal in the 86th minute as Kyoto slipped to their fifth defeat in just nine league fixtures this season.
Sanga could have taken more from the contest. The hosts had 17 efforts and finished with a higher xG (1.34 to 0.94), but their inability to convert chances proved costly.
Ranko Popovic's side have now failed to win six of their last eight competitive fixtures. The hosts find themselves 16th in J1L, with only eight points picked up from nine matches.
Kyoto also slipped to defeat in their AFC Champions League Elite opener, with a 1-0 reversal at Daejeon Hana Citizen last month.
A lack of attacking firepower has contributed to several low-scoring contests. Kyoto scored just five goals in their last seven competitive fixtures, with five of those games finishing under 2.5 goals.
Ratchaburi Hit Six Against Sukhothai
Ratchaburi travel to Japan in high spirits after a commanding 6-0 home victory against Sukhothai in the Thai League One last Friday.
Ekanit Panya scored twice before half-time, before Tarek Aggoun, Robert Zulj, Tana and Njiva Rakotoharimalala added further goals after the break.
The hosts secured their emphatic victory despite Adisorn Promrak's red card after just 27 minutes.
Final match stats highlighted Ratchaburi's clinical finishing. They had more efforts (15-13) and a higher xG (1.99 to 0.72), with ten shots on target to Sukhothai's four.
Worrawoot Srimaka's side had drawn their previous two fixtures before Friday's emphatic success.
Competing in this competition for the first time since 2021, the Thai side kicked off their campaign with a remarkable 6-4 home defeat against Shanghai Port last month.
Kyoto Sanga vs Ratchaburi Team News
Kyoto Sanga: (3-4-2-1) Halls; Yusuke Ishida, Yoshinori Suzuki, Kodai Nagata; Ren Kato, Shimpei Fukuoka, Hiroto Morooka, Kyo Sato; Ryuma Nakano, Haruki Arai; Alex Souza.
Head coach Popovic has a couple of expected absentees for the trip to Japan.Rafael Elias came off after 29 minutes against Machida and is likely to miss out on Tuesday.
Mitsuki Saito remains sidelined after surgery on a cruciate ligament and meniscus injury.
Alex Souza could lead the attack after replacing Elias on Saturday.
Ratchaburi: (4-3-3) Kampol Pathomakkakul; Jesse Curran, Adisorn Promrak, Tarek Aggoun, Sai van Wermeskerken; Roque Mesa, Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Pedro Dominguez Placeres; Jonathan Viera, Robert Zulj, Ekanit Panya.
Ratchaburi boss Srimaka has no fresh injury issues ahead of Tuesday’s AFC Elite encounter.
Jonathan Khemdee remains a long-term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury.