Before the Round – Japan Emperor's Cup 2nd Round (01/06/2022)

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The second round of Japan’s Emperor's Cup will kick off this week. J1 League and J2 League teams will enter the competition at this stage. Sixty-four teams will kick off the second round of the cup tournament in Japan.

Ryukyu - Omiya Ardija

J2 League club FC Ryukyu face fellow second division rival Omiya Ardija. These clubs are at the bottom of the J2 League table ahead of this week’s cup fixture.

FC Ryukyu enters the second round with a league record 3W-6D-9L with a goal difference of –11. They are –11 in league goals.

Omiya Ardija have a 3W-6D-9L record in the league as well. These teams met on May 25 with Omiya Ardija winning the league encounter 1-0 at home.

• Ryukyu have won just 2 of their last 6 matches in all leagues.
• Omiya Ardija have drawn their last 3 away games in all competitions.
• Ryukyu have drawn 4 of their previous 6 home encounters in all leagues.
• Omiya Ardija are undefeated in their 3 most recent clashes with Ryukyu.
• Prediction: Draw

Fagiano Okayama - Tochigi SC

It is another J2 League fixture on Wednesday in the Emperor's Cup as Fagiano Okayama host Tochigi SC. While Fagiano Okayama go into the match in good form, Tochigi SC are struggling in J2 League. This is a cup fixture, so anything can happen.

The last six matches between these teams have been split down the middle with three wins apiece. On March 5, Fagiano Okayama won 1-0 away against Tochigi SC in the league. The away team has won the last four games between these sides in all competitions.

Fagiano are fifth in the J2 League and are unbeaten in their last three games. Tochigi SC won just one of their last six matches and sit 19th in the division.

• Fagiano Okayama are undefeated in 3 of their previous 6 matches.
• There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 14 of Tochigi SC’s 19 games this season.
• Fagiano Okayama’ last 6 matches were low scoring with an average of 0.83 goals scored.
• Tochigi SC have lost 4 of their last 6 away games in all leagues.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

JEF United Chiba - Zweigen Kanazawa

It is another all-second division fixture as JEF United Chiba host Zweigen Kanazawa. JEF are on a two-match winning streak in the J2 League and will hope to translate it over to the cup. Zweigen are also on a two-match winning streak in the second division.

JEF United Chiba have a brilliant 6W-0D-0L record against Zweigen Kanazawa in their last six head-to-head meetings. The hosts will aim to make it seven wins from seven. JEF United Chiba outscored Zweigen 10-2 in their last six encounters.

Zweigen are one point better off in the J2 League than JEF United Chiba. However, this is the Emperor's Cup. JEF United have not won this competition since 1976. Zweigen have never lifted the cup.

• JEF United Chiba have suffered defeats in just 2 of their last 6 matches.
• Zweigen Kanazawa haven’t won a single game against JEF United Chiba in their previous 6 games against JEF United Chiba.
• JEF United Chiba are unbeaten in their most recent 3 encounters.
• Zweigen Kanazawa have scored at least 1 goal in their previous 3 matches in Japan J-League 2.
• Prediction: JEF United Chiba

Urawa Red Diamonds - Fukushima United

It is a first division versus third division fixture between Urawa Red Diamonds and Fukushima United. Urawa Red Diamonds are eight-time winners of the Emperor's Cup. They picked up last season’s trophy and are aiming to do it again.

The Red Diamonds are one of Japan’s most successful teams. They are not in the best of form, however. The last six matches in the J1 League ended without wins for the Red Diamonds. They have a record of 2W-9D-5L.

Fukushima United are fourth in the J3 League. They are unbeaten in two straight matches. Compared to the Red Diamonds, Fukushima are a young team. They were only formed in 2002. Fukushima United have never won the cup.

• Urawa Red Diamonds have drawn 5 of their most recent 6 games in Japan J-League 1.
• Fukushima United have lost just 1 of their last 6 encounters in all leagues.
• Urawa Red Diamonds are undefeated in their last 6 home encounters in All Leagues.
• Fukushima United have won 3 of their last 5 away encounters in all competitions.
• Prediction: Urawa Red Diamonds