Jubilo Iwata – FW Kanazono is out until mid-September, both MF Kitawaki and GK Kawaguchi are out for the season with Achilles injuries.

In the last ten seasons it’s been eight wins for Jubilo Iwata, six for Vissel Kobe, with three draws, though all of Vissel’s wins have come since 2007.

Since losing out to Kawasaki Frontale in a 4-3 thriller five games back Jubilo Iwata (P13 W7 D3 L3 GD +13) have won three out of their last four and scored 15 goals in the process. The arrival of Baek has changed the team, in my opinion, from an average mid-table plodder to a goal-scoring machine! They now sit just three points off the top (and a place above local rivals S-Pulse) and will be looking to put pressure on the teams above them with another big win.

Vissel Kobe (P13 W5 D0 L8 GD -5) have got their man in new manager Akira Nishino and, while he will be hard-pushed to get this team in the top 3 THIS season, Vissel fans can look forward to a patient building of a team that can challenge for honours in the coming seasons. Vissel have lost three league games in a row coming into this match but have had plenty of the play and need to take their chances to get wins on the board. I am sticking my neck out here and saying a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!