Kashima Antlers (P9 W3 D1 L5 GD -2) had begun a revival with three wins in a row, including a 5-0 demolition of Gamba Osaka last weekend, but were put in their place on Thursday by an excellent display from S-Pulse that had Antlers choking all over the field. The good work of three wins was undone and Kashima fans will be hoping for a win this weekend to put that display behind them. As noted last week, Koroki and Osako need to be given a run together and they both scored in the Gamba win…. as long as Juninho knows his place is on the bench harmony will prevail and Antlers will come good!

Sagan Tosu (P9 W4 D3 L2 GD +4) are confounding critics and fans alike with their performances so far in their first ever season in J1 and do not look like they will be returning to J2 any time soon. Four wins, and unbeaten since losing to Grampus five games ago, they will be hoping that they can keep Antlers at bay but it will be a tall order. Antlers will have partisan home support, experience being up against the odds and will be looking for that home win for their fans to forget the S-Pulse debacle! Expect a Win for Kashima Antlers!

This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams.