CHIBA, Japan (Interstat) — JEF United Ichihara Chiba, one of the J2 League’s most consistent sides, will host a struggling Consadole Sapporo in a league match on Sunday.

The matchup at Fukuda Denshi Arena pits a Chiba squad in strong form against a Sapporo team desperate to reverse its fortunes. Chiba sits near the top of the table with a league record of 16-6-7, while Sapporo is mired near the bottom at 17-21-5.

Chiba enters the contest following a scoreless draw with Blaublitz Akita, a result that snapped a three-game winning streak. Their form at home has been a cornerstone of their success this season.

Sapporo, conversely, is looking to rebound from a 1-0 home loss to Mito Hollyhock on Oct. 25. Their recent results have been inconsistent, with losses in three of their last five J2 League outings. Defense has been a persistent issue for the visitors.

The teams last met on March 8, with Chiba securing a convincing 3-1 victory on the road against Sapporo.

According to the Interstat game simulator, Chiba is projected to continue its winning ways with a 2-0 victory.

Following this match, Chiba will host Fujieda MYFC on Nov. 9. Sapporo’s next contest is at home against Oita Trinita on Nov. 8.