Urawa Red Diamonds welcome Jeju United to Saitama Stadium 2002 for the second leg of their ACF Champions League Round of 16 match on Wednesday evening.
The first leg ended 2-0 in the favour of Jeju United, with goals from Marcelo Toscano and Jin Seong-Wook. The goals came early in the first half and late in the second half and the second goal could prove to be crucial in the tie.
Urawa Red Diamonds will be disappointed not to have scored an away goal and this makes things increasingly difficult for them heading into the second leg.
Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Jeju United
ACF Champions League – Wednesday 31st May 2017 – 11:30 am
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Draw Best Odd of: 16/5 at Ladbrokes |
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Urawa Red Diamonds
Jeju UnitedUrawa Red Diamonds Form
The Japanese club finished top of their AFC Champions League group, having won 4 and lost 2 of their 6 matches. Both of their defeats came away from home, one of which was a heavy 4-0 defeat at Western Sydney Wanderers. So, in some respects, it was not a shock to see them lose the first leg of this tie away from home.
Urawa Red Diamonds won all 3 of their home group matches, including convincing 5-2 and 6-1 victories over FC Seoul and Western Sydney Wanderers respectively.
Home form in general has been good for Urawa Red Diamonds, with just 2 defeats from their previous 17 home games in all competitions. However, they have drawn and lost their last 2 home J1 League games.
Jeju United Form
The South Korean’s take a 2-0 lead with them to Japan, having finished second in their group. With 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats from their 6 group games, Jeju United ended the group stage 5 points adrift of leaders Jiangsu Suning. They lost 2 and picked up a point in their 3 away matches.
Jeju United have lost only 2 of their previous 10 games in all competitions and sit second in the K League Classic table, 2 points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
Home form was poor in April but Sung-Hwan Cho’s have been excellent on the road. Jeju United have lost only 1 of their last 15 away matches in all competitions, a run which stretches back to August 2016. Playing away from home should not give them much cause for concern.
Team News
Urawa Red Diamonds will be desperate to get Rafael Silva fit for this match, as the striker missed the first leg of the game and his teammates wasted some good chances to score.
Jeju United are expected to go into the match unchanged from the first leg, unless anyone picks up an injury in the build up to the game.
Top Betting Tips
The first leg finished with 2 goals but was an open game, with chances falling to both teams. Urawa Red Diamonds know they must score at least 2 goals if they are to have any chance of winning this tie. Therefore, over 2.5 goals at 1/2 with Ladbrokes is worth backing.
Urawa Red Diamonds scored in every home match of the group stages but Jeju United netted in all 3 of their away matches, despite losing 2 of them. Urawa Red Diamonds to win and both teams to score is 2/1 at William Hill.
Given their excellent away form and Urawa Red Diamonds recent struggles at home, it is not inconceivable that Jeju United could win this match. They are available at a tempting 19/4 with Ladbrokes.