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J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs FC Tokyo at Hiroshima Big Arch

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FC Tokyo – MF Otake out for the season, DFs Ota, Jang and Hiramatsu out for a few more weeks each, no news on FW Hirayama from the club, MF Hanyu may be set to return but needs match fitness.

Head to Head – 7 wins for Sanfrecce, just one for FC Tokyo and 5 draws since 2004, all in J1.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima sit atop the J.League four points clear of Vegalta Sendai, after the clubs around them all dropped points recently. Having said that, Sanfrecce themselves lost at home to S-Pulse when they topped the division two weeks ago so anything can happen with the “Curse of the Top Team” in J1! But FC Tokyo are seriously tiring and showing dire form right now, with fans seriously worried about them dropping into the relegation battle after such a good start to the season. A win for FC Tokyo here would settle the team, go some way to rebuilding shattered confidence and pull them away from a potential nail-biting final two months. But Tokyo are beset with injuries and inconsistencies and I can’t see them taking out a Sanfrecce riding high at the top, especially if Hisashi Sato – J1 top scorer – is allowed time in front of goal.
With five or six teams poised to challenge, if a decent run can be ut together, the fate of Sanfrecce’s Championship aim is in their own hands now and I can not see them losing today.
EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Vissel Kobe vs Sagan Tosu at Home's

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Vissel Kobe – DF Inoha, MF Nozawa, FW Okubo have all been on the injury list this week
Sagan Tosu – DF Kitani out for at least another month.

Head to Head – this year’s 3-0 home win for Sagan is the only meeting between these two teams in J1 so far. Four games in J2 in 2008 saw 3 Vissel wins and a draw.

A key point could be the injury list for Vissel Kobe – Inoha, Nozawa and Okubo have all proved to be key players this season as Vissel put a good run together. Having loaned out possible replacement Komoto to Omiya, Vissel will have to use Takagi at CB if Inoha is unfit – the player has often crumbled under pressure. Sagan are fast and efficient on the counter-attack and this position could prove crucial to the game’s outcome. As of the day before the game nothing was confirmed on any of the players from the Vissel camp.
Vissel will have Ogawa available again after suspension and Morioka is a capable replacement for either Okubo or Nozawa if needed. A win for Kobe would really boost the confidence and make them think they have a chance for a top three finish – it will be in their own hands.
Sagan Tosu continue to surprise and confound the critics. They lost at home to a rebounding Shimizu S-Pulse last week, but have been having a good run and still remain in contention for a top 3 place! How long before that bubble bursts? Or are they the real deal? MF Mizunuma is a key man and if Vissel can watch him safely, that may be the difference. EXPECT a HARD WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Cerezo Osaka vs Yokohama F.Marinos at Kincho

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Cerezo Osaka have no injuries or suspensions to report.
Yokohama F.Marinos – DF Amano out for the season.

Head to Head – 6 wins for Marinos, 2 for Cerezo and 5 draws, since 2003, all in J1 competition.

Cerezo Osaka looked on course for a win away at Jubilo Iwata before they conceded two late goals to Maeda and took a loss at 4-3. The dynamic duo of defensive midfielders Ogihara and Yamaguchi returned from London 2012 – along with Sugimoto, who had confirmed the end of his loan period at Verdy just before the Olympics – but these players, along with new incoming are yet to gel and they do not have much time to form a team. Having to replace two players of the calibre of Kiyotake and Kim will be hard but the team need 2 or 3 wins in the next month or so to ensure that a team of promising individuals can grow together in J1 next season. They have to start that against a team who have not lost since … can anyone remember?!
Two draws in the last three games have seen Yokohama F.Marinos sustain their unbeaten run but they must feel that they should have taken all three points last week after being up 2-0 over Kawasaki Frontale. Despite having scored only 29 goals in their 22 games, they find themselves in 5th position, poised for a run at an ACL place. To confirm that – or better – they have to win games like this, and they need someone other than Marquinos to share the goal burden. Whatever happened to the promise of Yuji Ono? Oguro will always score goals, but will miss many chances while doing it, and have his dry patches. This game could be one of them. EXPECT a WIN for CEREZO OSAKA!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Gamba Osaka vs Consadole Sapporo at Expo'70

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Gamba Osaka – GK Kimura, DF Nakazawa are out with broken legs. FW Kawanishi is working hard to return from a broken leg but not yet match fit. RBs Kaji and Eduardo both injured!
Consadole Sapporo – FW Sakaki joins a long injury list.

Head to Head – Gamba won 4-0 away earlier this season and in 2008 there was a draw and another Gamba victory. That’s all between these two.

Gamba Osaka are on a roll, at last, and are entertaining the bottom team on the back of a 5-0 away thrashing of 2010 Champions Nagoya Grampus, so will be expecting another high-scoring win to take them out of the relegation zone and improve their goal difference. Two wins and two draws in the last four games have seen them come within touching distance of that safe 15th spot, although they will be setting their sights on a much higher position if they can win this one. The return of ace Leandro has kick-started the team into action, Konno scored his first goal for the club last week, Paulinho is a decent back-up player who is scoring goals and Sato sees himself high up in the scoring charts. Amazingly, even in such a lowly position, only three teams in J1 have scored ore goals this season!
Consadole Sapporo have been hit by numerous injuries over the season but seemed to be destined for an immediate return to J2 from the start of the season. They have now conceded 52 goals in their 22 games – scoring just 17 in the process – and bringing in the likes of Tele and Ramon does not seem to be the answer – they have certainly not proved themselves to be J1 players, although, being completely honest, the team are probably already rebuilding for a season in J2 in 2013! Forwards Kondo and Maeda seem set to return from injuries, but will they be given a place over the Brazilian imports? The last four games have seen two wins for Consadole – over Vegalta and Grampus – but the fans have probably accepted that the team are headed for J2 – perhaps this is the only change they have – playing without pressure because they know they are doomed already!?
EXPECT a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Kawasaki Frontale vs Nagoya Grampus at Todoroki

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Kawasaki Frontale – DF Jeci comes OFF the injury list but DF Saneto JOINS the list that also includes DF Morishita and MF Rene Santos.
Nagoya Grampus – DFs Masukawa and Daniel are both suspended. MF Danilson is out for a few weeks. MF Isomura is along term injury. FW Tamada is struggling to be match fit, FW Kennedy is still not recovered from long-term injury.

Head to Head – 10 wins for Frontale, 4 for Grampus and 3 draws over the last decade or so, including a home win each in the ACL Champions in 2008.

Kawasaki Frontale came back from the dead last week in the Kanagawa Derby through two goals from Yusuke Tanaka – ex-Marinos player – to grab a point, but that brings them to just five points in the last five games as they settle into mid-table mediocrity, perhaps. Yahiro Kazama, the coach who took over from Naoki Soma earlier in the season has brought in new players – including his two sons – and is rebuilding a team in his own image and fans may have to be patient and wait until next season to see rewards.
Nagoya Grampus have won just one in their last five and were destroyed by Gamba Osaka at home last weekend, in their 20th Anniversary special match! They are beset by injuries and suspensions again and one wonders if that defeat will have shot their confidence to pieces, or whether the likes of the returning Tulio (suspension) and Tamada (injury) can pull the club back from the brink of a very disappointing season. With centre back Masukawa suspended, and Tamada back – if not match fit – it’s probably time for Tulio to return to centre back but can Tamada and Nagai score the goals to get them the points. Kennedy is missed big time – his creating and post play is what Nagai thrives on.
EXPECT a WIN for KAWASAKI FRONTALE!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Kashiwa Reysol vs Jubilo Iwata at Kashiwa

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Jubilo Iwata – GL Kawaguchi and MF Matsuoka out for the season, DF Cho, MF Yamamoto and FW Han out injured. DF/MF Riki Kitawaki has been allocated number 28 and may be considered for selection soon.

Head to Head – 9 wins for Jubilo, just 3 for Reysol, and 3 draws since 2003, all in J1.

Kashiwa missed the influence of suspended midfielder Leandro Domingues last week and struggled to create chances, but I question their wisdom in bringing in Neto Baiano and leaving the likes of Sawa and Tanaka on the bench. Proven goalscorers, team players doing well, replaced by a player who was a complete failure in his previous stint in Japan. I can only presume that Reysol see a huge improvement since then and feel he is worth a place – I will reserve judgement for now.
This is certainly a HUGE game for both teams – Reysol have drawn their last three games after an impressive run took them up the table, while Jubilo have been inconsistent lately but still cling to 6th place, just two points behind Reysol. Jubilo have won only one in their last four but remain J1 top-scorers, unfortunately they are 4th worst in defence, having conceded 35 goals. Japan national team forward Maeda scored two late goals to get all three points for Jubilo against Cerezo last week and will be looking to consolidate his position in the Samurai Blue ahead of the World Cup 2014 qualifier against Iraq
Reysol are only two goals behind Jubilo in the scoring stakes so perhaps we can expect a HIGH SCORING DRAW here today!?

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 19:00 Omiya Ardija vs Vegalta Sendai at NACK 5

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Omiya Ardija – MF Murakami and FW Shimizu both injured.
Vegalta Sendai have no injuries or suspensions to report.

Head to Head – 5 wins for Sendai, 3 for Ardija and 2 draws in 10 meetings since 2004.

Omiya pulled off an away win at FC Tokyo last weekend after losing three of their last four before that, while conceding 11 goals. The three points from their FC Tokyo win were vital with Gamba Osaka finally coming good and it is going to be a long struggle for survival in the coming weeks of this 2012 season. The return of Higashi from London 2012, and the instant success of new Slovenian striker Novakovic, who scored the winner last week after coming on as a substitute all helped, but hosting the team in 2nd place will not help them this week. A tough match is in store. On loan centre back Komoto – from Vissel Kobe – will be trying hard to have an impact and prove he is worth a place at Vissel, or a transfer fee for Omiya.
Vegalta Sendai have faltered, as they did last summer – when they saw themselves drop from the top with a winless string of results – and are currently four points off the top spot now, having seen four draws and a loss in their last five outings. Six teams must realistically fancy their chances of overhauling Sendai for the 2nd spot soon, so the team really have to pull out all the stops and get back to winning ways. Poor Omiya may be their victims as they come good this weekend.
Expect a WIN for VEGALTA SENDAI!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 18:30 Kashima Antlers vs Albirex Niigata at Kashima

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Kashima Antlers – FWs Osako and Dutra and DF/MF Nishi are all suspended. DF/MF Koji Nakata will be out for at least another month.
Albirex Niigata – MFs Kim, Nakamura and Ichida, and FW Suzuki are all long-term injuries.

Head to Head – surprisingly even over the years, since 2004, 7 wins for Antlers, 6 for Albirex and 7 draws.

Kashima have won one of the last three – with defeats to Sagan Tosu and Urawa Reds sandwiching a win over Jubilo Iwata. After a terrible start Kashima put some points on the board but still look like a team in disarray at times and are not yet clear of relegation this season. If they can consolidate their position in J1 the powers-that-be need to decide if they keep faith with Jorginho as coach, then they can start the rebuilding process. FW Koroki will have a lot on his shoulders with the suspensions of Osako and Dutra which could be a bonus for Albirex Niigata, who are in deep trouble.
The return of CB Suzuki from the Olympics didn’t make much difference last week in a defeat to top team Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and they are the lowest scoring team in J1, with even less goals than bottom club Consadole! FWs Hirai, Yano et al MUST take the chances that they are given, as they are few and far between.

Even with the suspensions I can not see Albirex getting anything out of this. Expect a WIN for KASHIMA ANTLERS!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 18:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Urawa Reds at Ecopa

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Shimizu S-Pulse – LB Lee and CB Jong-a-Pin are suspended, while DF Yoshida is undergoing fitness tests.
Urawa Reds – all players seem to be fit for selection except Naoki Yamada who is out for the season.

Head to Head – ten wins each and four draws over the last decade – very even. Reds won the encounter earlier this year, but you have to go back to 2008 for Reds’ last League win before that!

Shimizu S-Pulse have begun a revival, as predicted here and this game is a major test of their credentials. A win for S-Pulse will put them within one point of Urawa Reds, while a win for Reds will dent Shimizu’s confidence and send them 7 points adrift of their opponents. Both teams have had problems scoring this season, though S-Pulse have finally started finding the net in the last few weeks and new signing, Korean Olympic forward Kim Hyun Sung will be looking to score his first for the team, while Omae and Takagi are hitting goals again, ably supported by Alex Brosque. So, while the forwards may be on song, the team will be without at least two of their regular defence and so may consider curtailing the attacking tendencies to concentrate on keeping it tight at the back – or maybe not! Coach Afshin Ghotbi is a swashbuckling type and while his players are confident he may just hope to score more goals than Reds!
As noted, Urawa Reds are not scoring many goals, so may not trouble the depleted S-Pulse defence as mush as they should… Ugajin has been scoring from midfield recently, and Haraguchi is gaining confidence up front. If the likes of Tanaka, Popo and Despotovic can give help from the bench Reds may hit the net today.

I am going to stick my neck out and go for a highscoring WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

Previews

Jリーグ J1 プリビュ− 8月25日 18:00 清水エスパルス vs. 浦和レッズ (エコパス)

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清水エスパルスは、ＬＢ李記帝とＣＢヨンアピンが出場停止。ＤＦ吉田は体力テストを受けている。
復活を始めたエスパルスにとって、この試合が試金石となる。エスパルスが勝利すれば、レッズに勝ち点１差まで肉薄できるが、敗れれば積み上げた自信がへこみ、勝ち点差も７に開いてしまう。得点力不足に悩む両チームだが、アレックス・ブロスケのサポートを大前と高木が得点するなど、ここ数試合、エスパルスの得点感覚は戻ってきている。オンピック後移籍の金賢聖もエスパルスでの初ゴールを狙う。
エスパルスが、高得点試合を制する！