The Saitama derby is the highlight of a J.League weekend, however; which will be a last audition for a place in Japan's FIFA World Cup squad.
Alberto Zaccheroni will name his squad for Brazil on Monday, two days after the only J.League squad comprised exclusively of Asian players strive to maintain their title charge in Round 13 which sees as their closest challengers face decidedly tougher tests.
It has been a mixed week for Urawa Reds ahead of their crunch clash at city rivals Omiya Ardija on Saturday.
The 2007 Asian champions returned to the J.League summit for the first time in four years, but stayed there just a few days due to a goalless draw at lowly Ventforet Kofu.
That stalemate gave Shusaku Nishikawa his third straight clean sheet, and defender Tomoaki Makino and forward Genki Haraguchi are eager to squeeze into Japan's World Cup squad alongside their goalkeeper.
"It's up to coach Zaccheroni," said Haraguchi. "All I can do is go and play my heart out in the derby."
Soccer Way
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