Kawasaki Frontale – DFs Jeci and Komiyama out and one of the players who replaced them in defence also out injured now, Inamoto!

Vegalta Sendai – influential MF Sekiguchi destined to be out for one month.

In nine meetings over the last ten years Frontale have four wins to Sendai’s two, with three draws. Most recently, Kawasaki triumphed in the Nabisco Cup last month.

Kawasaki Frontale (P12 W6 D1 L5 GD -1) have lost at home twice – to Reysol and Sanfrecce – in their last five games, but won the other three. They are looking better, and scoring more goals than under Naoki Soma, who started the season coaching them, but Kazama Kawasaki need to be more clinical and tighter at the back to continue challenging for the top six.18 goals scored in 12 games is not that bad, but 19 conceded does not help in the long run!

Just when we thought the Vegalta Sendai (P12 W8 D3 L1 GD +16) juggernaut had come off the road – with a loss and two draws, they annihilated Nagoya Grampus last time out. Sekiguchi will be missed, but Akamine seems back to full fitness and the team has all round quality in all areas, especially a strong defence (nine goals conceded, best in the league along with, believe it or not, Sagan Tosu!) and will be expecting to take the points here. I fancy that we should EXPECT a DRAW!