FC Tokyo — Kyoto Sanga : Match Preview and Prediction for August 24,2025

Recent Form and Defensive Woes

FC Tokyo approaches this match following a thrilling 2-2 draw against Shonan Bellmare. The team showcased an ideal start, scoring twice, but ultimately let victory slip away by conceding in the dying moments. This result highlights the core essence of the current FC Tokyo squad: an ability to create and score, but evident issues with holding onto a lead.

Aggressive Tactics and High-Scoring Home Games

Coach Rikizo Matsuhashi openly speaks about his intention to play aggressively. The team genuinely seeks success through attack, especially on home turf, which is confirmed by a clear trend: in 6 out of their last 8 home matches, FC Tokyo’s games featured at least three goals. The transition to a 4-4-2 formation has led to increased scoring, yet the defense hasn’t become a fortress, ranking second-worst in the league for goals conceded at home over the last five rounds.

New Signing and Persistent Defensive Concerns

Adding to their attacking prowess, Brazilian winger Marcos Guilherme has joined the squad and is eager to play. His speed and motivation after a two-month layoff at Nagasaki will add variety to the attack. At the same time, defensive problems persist, with the team regularly conceding, making their matches open and high-scoring affairs.

Impressive Form and Attacking Prowess

Kyoto Sanga is currently in excellent form, evidenced by their seven-match unbeaten streak in the league (five wins and two draws). These are not just dry statistics, but a result of a powerful attacking game. The team ranks second in the J-League for overall goals scored (43 in 26 games) and leads in away goals over the past five rounds, having netted a remarkable ten times.

Rafael Elias’s Return and Offensive Strategy

A key factor in their success is the return of striker Rafael Elias. He immediately started scoring, finding the net in two consecutive recent games, and with 10 goals, he holds the third position in the top scorers’ race. Kyoto’s style is based on high pressing and active wing attacks, where full-backs constantly push forward. This aggressive style, however, leaves vast open spaces behind them, which opponents can and will exploit.

High-Scoring Away Encounters

Statistics fully confirm the open nature of their away matches. In 8 out of 10 previous away games for Kyoto Sanga, the total went over 2.5 goals. Overall this season, three or more goals were scored in 14 of their 20 matches. The team scores a lot themselves but also allows others to do the same.