Gamba Osaka vs Cerezo Osaka Prediction: Osaka Derby To Break Hearts In J1 League Opener!

Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka will meet at Suita City Stadium in the first round of the J1 League this Friday. Who will emerge victorious in this Osaka Derby?

Let's head into the match preview to find the best odds on the Gamba Osaka vs. Cerezo Osaka game and my expert picks to place your bets.

Gamba Osaka

Gamba Osaka had a memorable run in the previous J1 League campaign. They accumulated 66 points from 38 games to finish in fourth place and one point ahead of fifth-placed Kashima Antlers. Thanks to that finish they secured a spot in the AFC Champions League 

Nerazzurri concluded the season on a high going unbeaten in six matches during which they picked up five wins and a solitary draw. This was consolation for their poor run that witnessed them go nine league games without a win (D6, L3) beforehand. 

In preparation for their first competitive match this season, Osaka played four pre-season games. Things didn't go as planned as they won just one of those tussles while recording two draws and a solitary loss in the process. 

Cerezo Osaka

Cerezo Osaka seemed like a team that would finish inside the top four in the previous season after going unbeaten in their first eight league games (W5, D3). However, a five-match winless run preceding that commendable unbeaten streak disrupted their momentum picking up 34 points from a possible 90 to finish in tenth place.

Unlike their opponents in this impending encounter they did not conclude the season on a high. They bid farewell with two consecutive defeats and it's also worth mentioning that they had one win to their name in five games.

Under the new management of head coach Arthur Papas, the visitors did not participate in any pre-season games leading up to this match. Their last competitive match was a 3-0 away league defeat against FC Tokyo on December 8, 2024.

Match Facts

• Gamba Osaka is currently on a two-match winning streak at home in the J1 League.
• Cerezo Osaka has won just two of their last 11 away matches in the J1 League.
• Gamba Osaka has won just two of their last 11 matches against Cerezo Osaka.
• Cerezo has won two of their last three matches against Gamba Osaka.

Head-To-Head

In the last 45 meetings, Gamba Osaka has won 18 times, Cerezo Osaka has won 15 times and there have been 12 draws with the goal difference being 73-58 in favour of Gamba Osaka. 

Expert Betting Tips

Neither side has been that active in the transfer market. However, one notable signing Gamba Osaka has made is that of attacking midfielder Kanji Okunuki from 2.Bundesliga side FC Nurnberg. 

In the previous meeting, Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka split their two games with both encounters ending with a 1-0 scoreline. I'm expecting a tight affair when these sides meet on Friday. 

That said, I'm backing Cerezo Osaka in the double chance market to win or draw as they've been the better side in previous meetings against Gamba Osaka.

Our main prediction for the match: Draw or Cerezo Osaka for 1.80 with Bet365.

2nd prediction: Total - Under 2.5 for 1.75 with 1xbet.

3rd prediction: Full-time Result - Draw for 3.30 with Betway.