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JSoccer Magazine J1 Previews Matchday 33

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17:30 Kashiwa Reysol vs Vissel Kobe at Kashiwa – VIssel to Hold Back Resyol Tide?

Team News
Kashiwa Reysol – MF Kurisawa is suspended. MF Mizuno will probably miss the last two games.
VIssel Kobe – GK Tokushige is still doubtful, FW Yoshida undergoing tests, DF Hayashi out for the season. FW Tokura is suspended.

Head to Head – 9 wins each, and just 2 draws in 20 meetings in J1 (and a J2 season in 2006) since 2003.

Match Preview – a match with it all the play for. Kashiwa Reysol seem to have the very influential Leandro Domingues back and fit, just in time for a push for that 3rd spot, the ACL place for 2013. They won’t have any problem overcoming their injuries with their deep squad and they’re in decent form after an away win at Marinos. I have said it before, but their forwards are doing the job – Kudo, Tanaka, Sawa are all in reasonable form, so hopefully, for the team’s sake, Neto Baiano won’t get a look-in!

Vissel Kobe, on the other hand, will miss Tokura, who has been among the goals recently, and are under severe pressure to win or face a final day fight against Sanfrecce Hiroshima to stay in J1. Having said that, with the current form of Ardija and Gamba, a win here might still leave them needing another win on the final day anyway! They won for the first time since August last week, in interim coach Adachi’s first match in charge since Akira Nishino was fired and that new coach adrenalin effect may still be in force today! It will be a tough match but Vissel have more to lose and I think we can EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

17:30 Kawasaki Frontale vs Shimizu S-Pulse at Todoroki – S-Pulse to Come Back from Losses!

Team News
Kawasaki Frontale – DF Jeci is injured again, along with DF Komiyama. DF Morishita is back from injury but not match fit, no suspensions.
Shimizu S-Pulse – MF Hattanda is doubtful, no suspensions.

Head to Head – 7 wins for Shimizu S-Pulse, 3 for Kawasaki Frontale and 3 draws since 2005 in 13 J1 meetings.

Match Preview – Kawasaki Frontale made their J1 place safe last weekend with a last gasp away win by the single goal at Niigata, probably condemning their opponents to relegation at the same time. Combined with a 4-2 win over Reds the week before, they have relaxed at last, and Renato is back on form – a hat trick against Reds – depending on results around them they could be looking at a top 6 finish after all, if they win their final two games. I feel that would be a false position, though, and the the team really need to look at some of the choices made by coach Kazama. If Renato is in the same form as against Reds they could score a goal or two!

Shimizu S-Pulse have had a roller coaster season. At one point in 2nd spot with the top in sight, they went on a winless, even goalless streak and plummeted down J1. They then recovered and as close as three games ago had faint Championship hopes, but certainly a hand on an ACL place. Two straight defeats in J1 (and the Nabisco Cup FInal loss) have knocked them back and they will have a confidence problem, perhaps. They are a young team and it will be important to get a win or two in these final games to help them bounce back and be ready for a new season of what the fans will hope is a successful one. The groundwork is there, a couple more defeats could kill that off, so the experience of coach Ghotbi and his older heads will not want to lose this one, even if a win will not get them that 3rd place it will mean a lot in the long run, I feel. EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

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14:30 Vegalta Sendai vs Albirex Niigata at Yurtec – Sendai to send Albirex to J2?

Team News
Vegalta Sendai – MF Tamura is suspended. DF Uemoto is a long-term injury absentee.
Albirex Niigata – DF Murakami is suspended. GK HIgashiguchi and MF Uchida are out for the season, and more. Reserve GK Watanabe also out until next season at least!

Head to Head – 2 wins for Vegalta Sendai, 1 for Albirex Niigata, and 3 draws over six meetings since 2010 in J1 and the Nabisco Cup.

Match Preview – down to two games to go and everything to play for, for both of these teams today. A loss for Albirex Niigata will condemn them to relegation, while a loss for Vegalta Sendai may well give the title to Sanfrecce, depending on results on the day. It is no exaggeration to say that this game is vital at both ends of the table.
Vegalta have proved they can do without missing players, utilizing the depth they have and should not miss Tamura, especially if Sekiguchi is fit and raring to go. Albirex, on the other hand, have struggled to score goals andhave little choice up front to change it at this stage. The defence has been strong, considering their position, although goalkeeper injuries will not help them at this late stage. Even a win for Albirex guarantees nothing in regards to safety so an early goal will be key to boostng their confidence, if they score, or deflating it completely if they concede. EXPECT a WIN for VEGALTA SENDAI!

14:30 Nagoya Grampus vs Kashima Antlers at Toyota – Nagoya to Push Kashima Down into trouble!

Team News
Nagoya Grampus – DF Abe, FW Kennedy out injured, no suspensions.
Kashima Antlers – MF Ogasawara is suspended. MF/DF Yamamura is still out injured but back in training.

Head to Head – 14 wins for Kashima Antlers, 8 for Nagoya Grampus and just 2 draws in 24 meetings since 2003.

Match Preview – Kashima Antlers still need a point or two for safety, and, in fact, if they lose both of their final games and results elsewhere go against them, they could be in for a season in J2, so the Nabisco Cup winners have everything to play and may feel that pressure. The influential Ogasawa will be missed and his de facto replacement for the future, Yamamura is still out, also. An inconsistent midfield today?
Nagoya Grampus are another team with a lot to play for ad are in a good position to claim an ACL place for 2013, after such an inconsistent season. They will not ease off, in fact, will take pleasure in inflicting possible serious damage on perennial rivals. The WILL miss Kennedy up front but Nagai, Tamada and Kanazaki are more than a handful, if on form, and Tulio always seems to to come up with a goal at the right time! EXPECT a WIN for NAGOYA GRAMPUS!

14:30 Gamba Osaka vs FC Tokyo at Expo’70 – Gamba to Steamroller Tokyo!

Team News
Gamba Osaka – GK Kimura is back in training after a broken leg. DF Nakazawa and FW Kawanishi both back and fit, also after broken legs! DF Kaji out for the season. DF Iwashita is suspended.
FC Tokyo – after an injury hit season DF Hiramatsu and MF Otake – both long-term absentees are the the only two reported missing this week, no suspensions.

Head to Head – 7 wins for FC Tokyo, 6 for Gamba Osaka, and 4 draws – all in J1 – since 2003.

Match Preview – one of the games where just one team has anything left to play for . . . FC Tokyo are safe. but have missed their slim chance of CL qualification and went down to issel Kobe last week in a rain-affected farce and won’t be too motivated for this game. The fans will take e opportunity to have a go at Konno, who left them for Gamba but the players may find it hard to get too excited about this one?
Gamba Osaka are in a must-win situation, still in a relegation spot despite decent fecent form. Ardija and Vissel also won last week, when Gamba took out S-Pulse away, so it was a case of no change aroud. Gamba BUT the teams immediately above ose three winners all lost and now Cerezo, Antlers and even Jubilo are still in mathematical danger of going down, so Gamba Osaka will be buoyed by that, as if they needed any motivation. If Leandro acores another goal or two in this game and the next, and Gamba do stay up, surely the Brazilian striker is in with a shot at the MVP award? EXPECT a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

14:30 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Cerezo Osaka at Hiroshima Big Arch – Hiroshima March On!

Team News
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – NO injuries reported by Sanfrecce, DF Chiba and MF Mikic are suspended.
Cerezo Osaka – Reporting injuries to MFs Yoshino and Maruhashi. FW Bando is suspended.

Head to Head – 6 wins apiece and 3 draws over a decade of meetings.

Match Preview – Sanfrecce Hiroshima know that a win could well give them the Championship with a game to spare, depending on the result at Vegalta and will be going all out to get that win in the hope that they don’t need to win on the final day (against Vissel Kobe, away, who are experts at saving themselves on the final day!). Sato will be gunning for the title of J1’s top goalscorer (and he has gone through the season without a single yellow card, too!) but will be without Mikic supplying the ammunition. There should still be enough talent in the Sanfrecce team to overcome an inconsistent Cerezo.

Cerezo Osaka capitulated last week and, indeed, have not won in four matches, although they have managed three draws. The team have confirmed that coach Culpi has accepted their offer and will be at the reins next season, even though he originally had to be dragged back after leaving once for a well-deserved break from football! Ironically, after the team’s good form convinced them to make the offer, now Cerezo find themselves still in need of some points to ensure safety and could still go down. Will they believe that scenario is possible and take this game seriously? One would hope so, but their inconsistency will tell and we can EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

14:30 Sagan Tosu vs Urawa Reds at Best Amenity – Tosu to Punish Reds Profligacy?

Team News
Sagan Tosu – MF Yeo out injured for the season, no suspensions.
Urawa Reds – DF Makino is suspended. DF Mizuta and MF Kashiwagi are doubtful, MF Naoki Yamada is in training but not match fit after six months out.

Head to Head – Reds won their league game this season, away, while Tosu won the Nabisco Cup match – the only two times these teams have ever met.

Match Preview – Sagan Tosu surprised all the critics with a fine start to their maiden J1 season but it looked as if the bubble had finally burst last month when they started to drift down the table. But they have confounded us all again with three wins in a row just when we thought they’d end up as mid-table also-rans on December 2nd. Those three winds, nine points have given them impetus going into the final two games and they are within two points of Urawa and Nagoya, with a better goal difference. Whatever happens in the next two matches, the fans will be happy and the club can look forward to a bright 2nd season in the top flight.

If Toyoda is firing on all cylinders and takes the chances created, and the home defence of Tosu is as strong as it has been, it will be tough for Urawa Reds who have dropped points all over during the last month and more. They no longer have a chance of the Championship and no their 3rd place – and a place in the ACL in 2013 – is under threat from Nagoya, Reysol and today’s opponents. It is the epitome of must-win for Reds, or they could see themselves dropping to 6th if results go against them elsewhere. But I don’t see any improvement up front (major signing needed for 2013) and EXPECT a WIN for SAGAN TOSU!

17:30 Consadole Sapporo vs Yokohama F.Marinos at Sapporo Dome – Surely Not Another Draw for Marinos?

Team News
Consadole Sapporo – DF KIm and FW Uchimura are suspended. DF Osanai is a new injury victim.
Yokohama F.Marinos – MF Tomisawa is suspended. No new injuries reported, MF Ogura is back in training.

Head to Head – 3 J1 wins for Yokohama F.Marinos, 1 Nabisco Cup win (in 2012) for Consadole Sapporo in four meetings in 2008 J1 and 2012 only.

Match Preview – Consadole Sapporo got a win the game after they were confirmed relegated, as if a sense of relief had allowed them to relax, but it didn’t last long and they are back as whipping boys, having shipped 11 goals in their last three defeats. They have now conceded 82 goals , or more than 2.5 per game and are earning the title of worst-ever J1 team. I can’t see them getting anything out of Yokohama F.Marinos, although the away team now have nothing left to play for after defeat by Kashiwa Reysol last time out left them out of the ACL running. Marinos have the equal best defence in the league (along with Sanfrecce and, surprisingly, Albirex!) but have trouble scoring . . . if Marquinhos get a few chances he’ll bury one, but Oguro and Yuji Ono are off-form and Marinos are suffering for it. Dare I say EXPECT a DRAW!?

17:30 Omiya Ardija vs Jubilo Iwata at NACK 5 – Jubilo to Get the Point They Need?

Team News
No injuries or suspensions reported for Omiya Ardija.
Jubilo Iwata still missing MF Matsuoka, and MF Baek reported as recovered but still doubtful to start.

Head to Head – 9 wins for Jubilo Iwata, 5 for Omiya Ardija, and 4 draws since 2005.

Match Preview – Omiya Ardija are unbeaten since late August, when they went down to Sendai, and the impressive run has come at just the right time to go some way to pulling them clear of relegation but there is still hard work ahead if they are to survive in J1. Away wins at Cerezo and Reysol recently, in between some creditable draws have kept pace with Gamba’s efforts, while pulling them away from Albirex in 17th place. Omiya’s fine form has dragged Vissel, Kashima and Cerezo into the dogfight and even Jubilo, today’s opponents, are not mathematically safe from relegation and need another point to be sure.

With a superior goal difference to most teams below them, Jubilo Iwata know that a single point from two games is enough for safety and they are also aware that they are completely out of the ACL reckoning now. I have a feeling that they will play for the draw and frustrate Ardija’s attack. At this stage of the season, Ardija might settle for a draw, also and while the likes of Cho and Higashi misfire, after promising so much, a draw is all they might expect. If Baek is still not fit for Jubilo they will be missing a midfield spark but if Maeda gets chance, especially on his head, he’ll bury it, and Ardija! EXPECT a DRAW!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 14:00 Jubilo Iwata vs Nagoya Grampus at Yamaha

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Team News
Jubilo Iwata – CB Suganuma is suspended. MF Baek is back in training but probably not match fit. MF Matsuoka a long-term injury.
Nagoya Grampus – FW Kennedy is still out with a long-term recurring injury.

Head to Head
9 wins for Grampus, five for Jubilo, and six draws over the last decade or so.

Match Preview
Jubilo Iwata have been in freefall down J1 having lost four of their last five and now find themselves in 10th position. They are six points away from today’s opponents and that 3rd placed spot, so can kiss the ACL 2013 goodbye. Amazingly they are also mathematically still in the relegation race although it would be almost impossible for them to be relegated! While 10th spot would probably have been accepted by the fans at the start of the season, after spending so much time in the top 3 or 4 this season is probably going to turn out to be a disappointment in the end. The influential Korean Baek may well be in contention to return from injury but, even though I feel he was the main reason they did so well (and the reason they dropped so badly when he was injured) I don’t believe he is match fit anyway and will make little difference to this team who have got used to losing.

Nagoya Grampus have been much too inconsistent this season, yet still, with three games to go they find themselves on the verge of ACL qualification, only ot of 3rd place on goal difference from Urawa Reds. With injuries affecting their team selection, coach Stoijkovic has been forced to use Tulio as a forward at times and Australian international Kennedy is still out and not expected back this season, but I believe they should stick with selections from Tamada, Nagai and Kanazaki as forwards, as opposed to Tulio! I believe Nagoya will be motivated enough, and confident enough on their four game unbeaten run for us to EXPECT a WIN for NAGOYA GRAMPUS!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 14:00 Albirex Niigata vs Kawasaki Frontale at Tohoku Den

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Team News
Albirex Niigata – GK Higashiguchi and back-up GK Watanabe both out long-term. MF Uchida out for the season.
Kawasaki Frontale – DF Morishita is back in training after a long injury.

Head to Head
10 wins for Albirex, 8 for Frontale and just one draw over a decade of meetings.

Match Preview
Albirex Niigata dug out a vital away win at S-Pulse last time out and therefore kept in contention for safety, leveling up on points with Gamba Osaka, although 9 goals behind on goal difference, which could be vital on that final day. The defining fact from their season has been that they have scored only 24 goals in 31 games so far – that’s just two goals more than relegated Sapporo or, to out it another way, only four goals more than Sanfrecce’s Hisato Sato. But for the fact that their defence has conceded just one more goal than top team Sanfrecce they would have been relegated long ago. Although Albirex rarely score, Frontale do let a lot of goals in so Albirex need to find the net if they are to win this!

Kawasaki Frontale’s win over Urawa Reds last game out saw them reach 43 points and safety, if not mathematically, virtually! A single point from three games will be enough to make 100% sure of Frontale’s safety, and they would like to see that sooner rather than later, I am sure. An away draw with Vissel, and then that home win over Reds sees them in reasonable form and scoring goals – if Renato continues his sudden return to form Albirex will find themselves in deeper trouble by the end of the day here. EXPECT a WIN for KAWASAKI FRONTALE!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 14:00 Yokohama F.Marinos vs Kashiwa Reysol at Nissan

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Team News
Yokohama F.Marinos – MF Tomisawa is suspended. MF Ogura may be back in contention after injury.
Kashiwa Reysol – MF/FW Leandro Domingues fighting for fitness. DF Kondo and MF Mizuno definitely out.

Head to Head
7 wins for Reysol, 6 for Marinos and 4 draws since 2004.

Match Preview
Yokohama F.Marinos had a terrible start to the season, then went on a long unbeaten run, then hit a losing streak, and are now unbeaten in their last five – it’s time to make it count and keep winning if they are to have any chance of making that final ACL-qualifying spot in 3rd place. They are one of six teams who realistically have a chance and a win against Reysol would knock that team out of contention. They’ll have to do it without Tomisawa, who is suspended, and with just, seemingly, Marquinhos on form of their striking options.

Meanwhile, Kashiwa Reysol have missed the influential Leandro Domingues recently but are still just three points off that 3rd spot. A return for the Brazilian would be a huge boost for the team who have lost to Ardija and drawn with Gamba in their last two matches. Marinos should be a bigger test for them and for any chance of finishing 3rd and taking that final ACL spot they must win this game. Marinos, along with Sanfrecce, have the best defence in the league and have drawn a J1 record 14 times this season – EXPECT a DRAW here today, also!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 14:00 Urawa Reds vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Saitama

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Team News
Urawa Reds – DF Mizuta out injured, MF Naoki Yamada training but not match fit.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima report no injuries, and there are no suspensions.

Head to Head
9 wins for Reds, 5 for Sanfrecce and 3 draws since 2004.

Match Preview
Urawa Reds have lost three of their last four games yet still find themselves in 3rd place due to the teams around them dropping points. Their defeat at Kawasaki Frontale put paid to their title hopes but they will be hoping they can hold back the tide and stop Sanfrecce all but sealing up the title if they win here and Vegalta fail to win at Kashima. Reds are on a downward spiral, with no goalscorers on the field, while Sanfrecce score for fun, with Sato top of the scoring charts, and know that if they win this they will stay clear at the top, or even stretch their lead. EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 14:00 Kashima Antlers vs Vegalta Sendai at Kashima

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Team News
Kashima Antlers – MF Endo is suspended. DF/MF Yamamura still out injured.
Vegalta Sendai – Just DF Uemoto out injured.

Head to Head
4 wins for Antlers, 2 for Sendai and 1 draw. Just the last three seasons and a season in 2003 is all we have between these two teams.

Match Preview
Vegalta Sendai lost ground on Sanfrecce Hiroshima last time out and MUST win this to stay in touch, presuming that Sanfrecce don’t slip up against Urawa Reds – a big presumption, indeed. Sendai have two draws and two wins in their last four but it has not been enough to keep track with the top spot, so this is a must-win today for them. They have no suspensions and just Uemoto missing and really need to dispatch Kashima Antlers today.

Kashima Antlers fought out a hard-earned goalless draw with fellow strugglers Omiya Ardija after being victorious in the Nabisco Cup Final. Antlers are five points clear of relegation with nine points available to Gamba and Albirex so they will know they need at least another win out of their final three games to be sure of safety. They will not make it easy for Sendai. They are missing Endo through suspension, but have more than enough cover and Shibasaki is on a high – the man to be careful of? EXPECT a DRAW!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 17:00 Cerezo Osaka vs Omiya Ardija at Kincho

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Team News
Cerezo Osaka – FW Bando is suspended. MF Yoshino out until next season. FWs Sugimoto and Kakitani are injury doubts.
Omiya Ardija report no injuries, and there are no suspensions.

Head to Head
6 wins for Ardija, 4 for Cerezo and 2 draws in 12 meetings between these teams since 2004.

Match Preview
Cerezo are all but mathematically certain of safety and have rewarded coach Culpi with a new and improved contract for 2013, even though he left for a break earlier this season! The fact that they have little to play for may see them surprised by the ferocity of the away team here today, who will be fighting for survival. The most hardcore of Cerezo fans might even be wishing for a defeat today, in order to put their Osaka city rivals – Gamba – under more relegation pressure! But that surely wouldn’t spread to the feelings of the players!? Although their last three games have been draws, there were two wins preceding those so their five game unbeaten run looks to have given them confidence. Will it be enough today?

Omiya Ardija have pulled off some excellent, and somewhat surprising results recently, after many thought they were dead, buried and J2-bound and are also – like Cerezo – unbeaten in five matches, all be it with four of them draws! Whatever! Every point helps in the battle against relegation but they will struggle to find three points here today. London Olympian HIgashi’s form has suffered since his return from London and big signing Cho has not done it at all this season. If they win this, and escape J2 it will be a miracle, but their fans are used to this!! EXPECT a WIN for CEREZO OSAKA!

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J.League J1 Preview Matchday 32 – 17:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Gamba Osaka at Outsourcing

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Team News
Gamba Osaka – DF Kaji and FW Sato out for the season, and more.
Shimizu S-Pulse – No injuries reported, no suspensions.

Head to Head
11 wins for Gamba, 4 for S-Pulse and 6 draws since 2004.

Match Preview
Shimizu S-Pulse have disappointed in recent weeks – losing in the Nabisco Cup Final to Antlers, and then going down to a shock home defeat last time out to Albirex Niigata. Their hopes of finishing in 2rd place have been dented and they will be looking to get back on the winning road and staying in touch with the other teams fighting it out for that 3rd place. In other news there is interest from German clubs for striker Omae and he may be leaving . . not a good start to keeping this team together.

Gamba Osaka have held Sanfrecce Hiroshima and ACL-chasing Kashiwa Reysol in their last games and are more than capable of getting maximum points here today, especially if Leandro is fit and on form – he will be the man that S-Pulse will be watching very carefully, and the fitness – or rather lack of full fitness – on the part of Calvin Jong-a-Pin may well be the difference in that duel. S-Pulse are a young team, who have lost a cup final, and then a league game against lower opposition recently, they will not have the experience and will find it difficult to handle the pressure from a very experienced club like Gamba Osaka, who will be giving everything in their desperate attempt to fight relegation! EXPECT a WIN for GAMBA OSAKA!

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J.League J1 preview Matchday 32 – 17:00 Consadole Sapporo vs Sagan Tosu at Sapporo Dome

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Team News
Consadole Sapporo – DF Kushibiki is suspended. DFs Kim and North are still fitness concerns as is FW Uehara.
Sagan Tosu – MF Kim is suspended. DF Yeo is injured.

Head to Head
13 wins for Tosu, 10 for Consadole and 5 draws in ten seasons between these two teams. All in J2 except for Sagan’s home win this season in J1.

Match Preview
What can we say about Consadole Sapporo – possibly the worst team that J1 has seen in it’s two decades of history? 22 goals scored all season, 79 conceded, a goal difference of -57. Can anyone see them winning this game? Famous last words, perhaps, but Sagan Tosu have impressed in their maiden season in J1 and have nothing to lose, no pressure on and most of us watching will expect them to walk this match with ease. That, of course is a dangerous attitude! After being confirmed as relegated Sapporo managed to beat Urawa Reds, away, and it looked as if they were suddenly relaxed, knowing their fate was decided. But that was it, they are back on the losing road now!

Sagan Tosu have a great defence, a strong home record and their supporters are really enjoying their first ever season in J1. There were rumours at the start of the season that their ace striker Toyoda would move to a “bigger” club and they must be grateful he didn’t, having scored 14 goals for his team so far this season. They will be hard-pressed to keep him if bigger clubs come calling, though, after he has proved he CAN do it in J1. If they can keep him, and continue their fine performances, confidence will grow even more and their players will surely believe that they do not need to move to gain success. The final three games are important for Sagan to show they are not in a fluke position. 2 or even 3 wins will top their season perfectly and they will not allow Sapporo to spoil this day. EXPECT a WIN for SAGAN TOSU!

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J.League J1 Matchday 32 preview – 17:00 FC Tokyo vs Vissel Kobe at Ajinomoto

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17:00 FC Tokyo vs Vissel Kobe at Ajinomoto – Vissel to Win Valuable Points

Team News
FC Tokyo – DF Otake out long term, MF Hiramatsu out for the season.
Vissel Kobe – DFs Hayashi out for sure, Soma doubtful. FW Yoshida facing a fitness test. GK Tokushige not expected to return this week.

Head to Head
Vissel Kobe have suffered 10 defeats and managed just 6 draws, NO wins in 16 meetings since 2003.

Match Preview
If one is realistic, FC Tokyo are one of the few clubs with nothing left to play for this season. They are five points and 6 positions away from an ACL-qualifying spot, and one point safe from relegation with three games to play. They’ll be playing for nothing but pride and bragging rights – and to keep their unbelievable record against Kobe intact – no loss in their last 16 meetings! Their injuries are clearing up, but too late to have any positive effect this season. The cull has begun already with the announcement that on loan striker Edmilson will not be returning in 2013.

Vissel Kobe, on the other hand, need at least one win in their final matches, perhaps more, to overhaul Omiya Ardija, or stay away from Gamba and Albirex. Last week they fired coach Akira Nishino who, it is rumoured, had “lost the dressing room”. The desperation of recent seasons saw Vissel take vital points in the final games, indeed on the final day, and their experience in fighting the pressure will help. They ARE desperate and so will have so much more motivation that their opponents today. Add to that the “new coach” effect or, in this case, the players playing for the man who they all know so well – Adachi, who took over for a few games when Wada was released earlier in the season, also. He began his short caretaker career then with two wins – can he do it again? Yes, he can! EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE! Their first in three months!