OITA (Interstat) — Oita will host Albirex on Friday in a J2 League match, with both clubs looking to build momentum from their most recent outings and improve their positions across all competitions. The contest offers a contrast in form as Albirex seeks another win and Oita tries to convert another tight match into three points.

Albirex enters with a 5-2-1 record across all competitions this season. Its most recent result was a 2-2 draw at Blaublitz. Tetsuya Kato, Yusuke Onishi and Eiji Shirai each played 90 minutes in that match. Earlier in the campaign, Albirex has mixed victories with a pair of losses. The club beat Jubilo 2-1 at home, topped Montedio 1-0 at home, fell 5-0 at Yokohama FC, won 3-2 at Iwaki, defeated Fujieda 1-0 at home, beat Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2-1 at home and lost 1-0 at Omiya. That run has given Albirex a solid win total, though the heavy defeat at Yokohama FC remains the outlier in an otherwise competitive season.

Oita enters with a 1-2-5 record across all competitions, a mark shaped by five draws. Oita’s most recent match was a 1-1 draw at home against Fujieda. Yuto Misao and Matheus Leiria each played 90 minutes, while Patrick Verhon was on the field for 67 minutes. Earlier, Oita drew 1-1 at Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, played Omiya to a 0-0 draw, tied Imabari 1-1 at home, lost 1-0 at Tokushima, beat Iwaki 4-1 at home, drew 0-0 at Vegalta and lost 1-0 at home to Bellmare. The home side has found points regularly but has struggled to turn draws into victories.

The matchup will test Oita’s ability to break down an Albirex side that has shown more scoring punch at times. Albirex has won five of its eight matches in all competitions, while Oita has won once but has avoided defeat in five other contests. Oita’s home setting could give it an edge in possession and tempo, but Albirex’s recent form includes enough attacking production to make the visitors dangerous. Albirex’s attack has produced multiple goals in some wins, while Oita’s defense has kept the club within reach in low-scoring draws.

Both teams will also be mindful of a crowded schedule. Albirex’s upcoming slate includes matches against Sagan, Vegalta, Kataller, Ventforet, Imabari, Tegevajaro, Tochigi City, Vanraure, Ventforet and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. Oita is set to face Jubilo, Ventforet, Tegevajaro, Vanraure, Blaublitz, Tochigi City, Kataller, Sagan, Tokushima and Imabari. The sequence offers each club chances to climb, but the immediate focus is Friday’s meeting.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Oita 1, Albirex 1. Interstat’s ELO system gives Oita a 57.6 percent probability to win.