SHIGA, Japan (Interstat) — A matchup of Japan Football League clubs heading in opposite directions will take place Friday when first-place Reilac Shiga hosts a struggling Maruyasu Okazaki side.

Reilac Shiga (16-5-7) sits atop the league table and has lost only once in its last 10 matches across all competitions. The club is coming off a 2-2 draw with Criacao Shinjuku on Oct. 31.

Maruyasu Okazaki (11-19-8) is mired near the bottom of the standings and is winless in its last four outings, including a 1-0 home loss to Yokogawa Musashino FC last Friday. The team has been shut out in three of those four contests.

The previous meeting this season heavily favors the hosts. On April 12, Reilac Shiga secured a 3-2 victory on the road against Maruyasu Okazaki.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Reilac Shiga is projected to win 2-0. The teams will conclude their league schedules later this month, with Maruyasu Okazaki hosting Minebea Mitsumi FC on Nov. 22 and Reilac Shiga welcoming Yokogawa Musashino FC the same day.