Three Wins in-a-row for Managerless Kobe!

Vissel Kobe – Both MF Hashimoto (short-term injury) and CB Komoto (long term injury) played out a reserve team game on Wednesday and may be considered available. FW Tashiro will miss another two weeks. FW Okubo was on unused substitute last week but is not expected to be available.

Nagoya Grampus – FW Josh Kennedy managed a half, and a goal last game but is not considered fully match fit. MF Isomura is out for at least four months with a metatarsal fracture.

Vissel Kobe (P10 W5 D0 L5 GD -2) have won their last two games (home against Omiya and away at Cerezo Osaka) since firing coach Wada. Interim coach Adachi is doing a great job but is not in contention to keep that position. A new coach is expected to be named very soon. Youngsters like Ogawa, Morioka and Okui are blossoming and the experienced heads ike Kitamoto, Nozawa and Inoha are blending in well now. Vissel have publicly stated that they are aiming for a top four finish – they just might get it if they can remain consistent now.

Nagoya Grampus (P9 W4 D2 L3 GD +2) are below Vissel and struggling to start their season. Injuries to Kennedy and ACL commitments have stretched the squad and they have been inconsistent so far. Kennedy returned for a half last week, scoring a spectacular goal in the process, but will struggle to make a full game if he is selected. Players like Tamada, Fujimoto and Tulio will have to pull their weight if they are to rise up the table in the coming weeks. Today, impetus and home advantage means we should EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

Historically, over the last decade Nagoya won just two of the first eight meetings between these two teams but, since a 5-0 in September 2007 Vissel have managed just two wins out of the last ten meetings. Overall it’s ten wins for Grampus, three wins for Vissel, with five draws.