Sendai to Destroy Albirex!

Vegalta Sendai – Akamine is out with a muscle strain

Albirex Niigata (P7 W1 D2 L4 GD -3) have struggled to make any kind of impact this campaign, despite the arrival of Shoki Hirai on loan from Gamba, and the return of Kishi Yano from an unsuccessful stint overseas. Their single win this season came at the wildly inconsistent Cerezo Osaka, before they succumbed to J1 newbies Sagan Tosu last week, and things were back to normal. Seven games, four goals is all this team can show for the season, don’t expect goals against the best team in the league – unbeaten and flying!

Vegalta Sendai (P7 W6 D1 L0 GD +12) are five points clear of 2nd place already and have notched 18 goals in their 7 game so far. Akamine – score of four of those goals) is out for a few weeks, but Ota (4 goals), Sekiguchi (3 goals) and Wilson (2 goals) will be more than ready to take on the mantle of goal scorers. Last time out FC Tokyo were sent packing in a 4-0 victory, while the week before they beat 2011 champions Reysol on their own turf. Do not expect Albirex to put a dent in Vegalta’s unbeaten start to this season – EXPECT a WIN for VEGALTA SENDAI!

Vissel to Pile on Marinos Misery!

Yokohama F.Marinos – FW Marquinhos is still only in light training and should not be considered ready. MF Taniguchi is restricted to light training and should be considered doubtful.

Vissel Kobe – FW Okubo will be out for about 2 months with badly twisted ankle. CB Komoto has resumed training but is probably not yet ready for selection.

Vissel Kobe (P7 W3 D0 L4 GD -4) started with two wins in their first two games and looked on course for the season that many expected, considering the incoming players for the new campaign. The likes of Tashiro, Nozawa, Inoha and Hashimoto looked set to make Vissel a force to be reckoned with, but then it fell to pieces and four losses later (or six if you include two Nabisco Cup games) and they were looking for a new coach. Last weekend a 3-1 win over Kashiwa Reysol probably saved Vissel coach Wada’s job, but Vissel will be needing 3 or 4 more wins in the next month or so to keep his job safe. The return of Tashiro last week will help the team get over the loss of Okubo for at least the next month. Left back Soma is in fine form and the return of Kitamoto to centre back was the turning point in the match last week when he came off the bench.

Yokohama F.Marinos (P7 W0 D4 L3 GD -4), on the other hand, should have replaced their coach by now, certainly if the fans had had their way, but have not yet made the decision that most are expecting any day now. Certainly, another loss would speed the arrival of a new coach, which might be the best thing for Marinos right now. While last week’s defeat at Jubilo Iwata was narrow in scoreline it was patently obvious that the team have a lot to get over before their season gets going, if it ever does! EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

Omiya to Build on Derby Victory!

Omiya Ardija (P7 W2 D1 L4 GD -2) have played well and lost – they were all over FC Tokyo only to lose to a wonder goal from Lucas, and played well and won (last week against Urawa Reds!). They have the potential to get away from the relegation zone and stay out of it, especially if the likes of U23 midfield dynamo Higashi, and the left-sided team of Shimohira and Cho hit form. Presuming that they continue to put things together they should have no problem in taking the points from the bottom team this time out.

Consadole Sapporo (P7 W0 D1 L6 GD -8) look to be aiming to set a record for the least number of points in a J1 season as they continue their losing streak, the only point they have to show so far this season is a home 0-0 draw with Jubilo Iwata on opening day – after that they have lost six in-a-row and are floundering on the bottom, already six points behind the safety zone of 15th position. While they have scored five goals, they have conceded 13 so expect them to get on the scoresheet at some time during this game, perhaps, but for Omiya to be too strong. A WIN for OMIYA ARDIJA!

Gamba to Continue Recovery!

Kashima Antlers – CB/Defensive MF Koji Nakata has resumed training but is probably not yet ready for selection.

Both teams had disastrous starts to the campaign, Gamba Osaka (P7 W2 D1 L4 GD -3) going as far as replacing their coaching team after also showing badly in the AFC ACL. Since the change Gamba have notched a draw and two wins. They also, and this is not a change have the most potent attack in the division, apart from leaders Vegalta, but the worst defence – plus ca change, plus ca meme chose! If Gamba can get the defence together, and they have failed in that in recent seasons they could be a danger at the top. For now, their fans will be happy with a few more wins to move them away from the bottom of the table. They are gradually changing the team and this season will be one of consolidation while the youngsters gain experience, but they will be up for a game against perpetual rivals Antlers.

Kashima Antlers (P7 W2 D1 L4 GD -4) have turned around their disastrous start with two wins in a row in their last two games but still have a long way to go. If Koroki and Osako up front are give a decent run in the team, and the creative talents of the likes of Endo in midfield are given their head, there is no reason that Antlers will continue to struggle in the lower half of the table. Last time out the showed their spirit by coming back from 2-0 down to beat Cerezo Osaka 3-2, with a late winning goal from Endo to give Antlers, while they won away at FC Tokyo the week before – their season has finally begun? A tight one to call as both teams are finally coming out of the doldrums, expect a scoring DRAW!

Sanfrecce to Halt Frontale Progress!

Kawasaki Frontale – DF Jeci has cruciate ligament damage of the left knee and is expected to be out for three months.

A couple of early season fortunate 1-0 wins gave Kawasaki Frontale (P7 W3 D1 L3 GD 0) a rather flattering position but the powers-that-be were not fooled and relieved coach Naoki Soma of his position and have installed Yahiro Kazama as his replacement. The coach spent plenty of his playing career in Germany and is also in the history books for scoring the first ever goal in the J.league – for Sanfrecce Hiroshima on opening day in 1993 – and has resigned from his post coaching at Tsukuba University to take on this role. New coach, new approach? Certainly the new coach syndrome, and home advantage will help Frontale take this game but is the team good enough in the long run?

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (P7 W4 D1 L2 GD +5) stuck at their job last weekend and managed to break through a stubborn Nagoya Grampus defence in the final seconds to gain a precious home point and will be expecting to take all three points in this game but Sanfrecce’s last two games – a draw and a loss – is starting to reveal their true colours after a great start… Kawasaki are by no means a good team (yet) this season, but will do enough here to take the points. EXPECT a WIN for KAWASAKI FRONTALE!

Reysol to Recover!

Last year’s champions Kashiwa Reysol (P7 W2 D1 L4 GD -2) are struggling in the bottom half of the table and are as good as out of the AFC ACL, which may well be a good thing as this inexperienced squad struggle to match the heights of last season. They are no longer a surprise team and teams now know what to expect on a visit to Kashiwa. Reysol have lost three of their last four and will be relieved to welcome back Leandro Domingues and Hiroki Sakai after suspensions last weekend. They capitulated to Vissel Kobe – who were on a five game losing streak – last weekend, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways against this season’s surprise team!

Sagan Tosu (P7 W4 D1 L1 GD +4) have won four of their last five including a 1-0 win at Albirex Niigata last weekend and are surprising many, although surely no-one expects them to repeat Kashiwa Reysol’s feat of last season, coming out of J2 to win the championship! Forward Toyoda does not look out of place in J1 and last weekend saw the debut of Koki Kiyotake – brother of Cerezo’s Hiroshi – who created openings, and the goal for Tozin in his short time on the field and looks to be a bright addition to the Tosu roster. It is time that Reysol got back to winning ways, and, with home advantage at their compact stadium, and with all players to choose from EXPECT a WIN for KASHIWA REYSOL!

Reds to Bounce Back!

Urawa Red Diamonds – MF Naoki Yamada out long term

Nagoya Grampus – 2010/2011 top goalscorer, FW Kennedy must be considered doubtful, although no official news is coming out of the Nagoya camp.

It’s 2nd (Grampus) against 6th (Reds) but just one point separates these teams and both will be looking to make up ground on Vegalta Sendai as they race away at the top. Nagoya (P7 W4 D2 L1 GD +4) will look at it as two points dropped last weekend, after Sanfrecce Hiroshima equalised deep into injury time and will be stung – Reds should beware the backlash.

Urawa Reds (P7 W4 D1 L2 GD +3), however had the worst result imaginable – certainly by their fans – last weekend, losing out in very unconvincing fashion in the Saitama Derby, Omiya Ardija taking them out 2-0.

So both teams hurt last weekend, and both teams will be looking for maximum points, but Reds have troubles scoring, Grampus are stubborn at home … expect a DRAW!

FC Tokyo – MF Kawano appears ready for selection after a month out.

6th against 7th with a just a single goal in the GD column separating these two teams. S-Pulse (P7 W4 D0 L3 GD 0) were expected to build on a decent season in 2011, while FC Tokyo (P7 W4 D0 L3 GD -1) are back in the top flight after a year in J2.

With a little more luck S-Pulse could easily be in 2nd place, but the same could be said of FC Tokyo, both teams being dealt a blow to their hopes of jumping into 2nd place last weekend. FC Tokyo were schooled by Vegalta Sendai and the 4-0 defeat dented that goal difference column in a big way, but confidence may have also been hit and fans will be hoping for a quick rebound.

S-Pulse went down to a slightly resurgent Gamba Osaka 3-1 last time out, with Gamba moving away from the bottom with a well-deserved win. S-Pulse had plenty of possession but did not take the few chances that came their way, until added time, when Alex Brosque out in their consolation goal. Home advantage may help but S-Pulse will not be considering a midweek ACL match like the home team. Expect a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

FC Tokyo suspended – Aria Jasuru Hasegawa, Yonemoto was stretchered off in the ACL game in midweek and must be considered doubtful.

Vegalta Sendai (P6 W5 D1 L0 GD +8) are the only remaining team to be unbeaten in league play in J1, last week taking out 2011 champions Kashiwa Reysol away by 3-2 and must be confident of getting another win under their belts here. No injury worries or suspensions will allow them to filed the team that keeps on winning and consistency of formation can only be a good thing. Sekiguchi is back amongst the goals, while Ota is also chipping in and in the best form of his career. Last year they seemed to thrive on the emotion of being the team that everyone wanted to do well after the earthquake tragedy in March, but this season they are just piling up the points with ease!
FC Tokyo (P6 W4 D0 L2 GD +3) are trying to do the same as Kashiwa Reysol did last season and win the J.League after being promoted. After a good start they have faltered somewhat but are still in contention and should never be ruled out. They also have their debut season of AFC Champions League football to consider so need to pace themselves. They had an easy win in midweek against Beijing and rotated the squad a little, also, so do not expect them to be too tired yet. Having said that, Sendai are on a roll and have home advantage, expect a WIN for VEGALTA SENDAI!

Tokyo have won only once – way back in 2003 – in five league meetings between these two teams. In 2010, in three matches, including a League Cup tie, FC Tokyo managed a draw against two losses.

Sagan Tosu – Midfielder Takahashi is expected to be out for three months.
Albirex Niigata – Midfielder Nakamura is out for at least another month.

Sagan Tosu (P6 W3 D1 L2 GD -2) have surprised J.League watchers with three wins out of six so far and are not having the problems that fellow promoted team Consadole Sapporo are having. Sagan’s three wins have come against struggling Marinos, on a roll downhill Kobe and a surprised Sanfrecce Hiroshima. So having done well against teams in various stages of form will Albirex (P6 W1 D2 L3 GD -2) make them struggle, seeing as how the away team finally got a win last week?
Albirex’s next three games are against Vegalta, Sanfrecce, FC Tokyo and Reds and they should probably not expect any wins there, so really need another win to stop the slide towards J2 that many are already predicting. Expect them to, yes, make it a tough game for Tosu today and be looking for at least a point to take home.
Tosu look forward to their next two games against Vegalta and Reysol, so they, also, have a tough schedule ahead. Toyoda is looking like a J1 player and their teamwork and effort is helping them settle into J1, although they will probably have to rely on other teams being worse than them to stay up! With Sapporo, Albirex, Marinos and Ardija looking in trouble already (let’s face it Gamba and Antlers ARE going to move up the table), Tosu will be a relegation struggle with 5 or 6 other teams and will need all the points they can get. But you can EXPECT a DRAW today!

The teams have never met in J1 and all four meetings in J2 in 2003 went to Albirex, but times they are-a-changing. Sagan’s confidence is up, Niigata are struggling, or did they finally turn the corner last week?