Previews – Wednesday, June 27th
19.00 Gamba Osaka v. Nagoya Grampus at Banpaku
TITLE – Gamba In Desperate Need of the Win!
Gamba still missing DFs Kaji and Eduardo, MF Sasaki and FW Kawanishi.
Grampus still without MFs Isomura and Nakamura, and FW Tamada will still be considered doubtful.
HEAD TO HEAD
Seven wins for the home team Gamba, eight for Grampus, and three draws over the last decade… SIX of those Nagoya wins, and a draw, have come in the last seven games, with the away team outscoring Gamba 17 goals to 8 in that time.
MATCH PREVIEW
Both Gamba and Grampus got much-needed wins at the weekend and the points from this game in hand will be a huge boost for ether team. Gamba Osaka (P14 W3 D3 L8 GD -7) can pull to within touching distance of Ardija, Cerezo and Antlers with a win and their season will be re-started with a win. Have no doubt, it is a HUGE game for Gamba Osaka as they try to pull away from the relegation zone.
Nagoya Grampus (P14 W7 D2 L5 GD +1) will move into 4th position (depending on FC Tokyo’s result) with a win here and, considering their up and down season so far, that will be an ominous sign for the teams above them as Grampus start to hit their stride? After both teams won at the weekend this will be a battle of in-form teams, and a battle of wits between the coaches, and Nagoya’s Stoijkovic might just win that! If Gamba can take the chances they create they can get at least a point. Let’s go for a DRAW here tonight!
19.00 FC Tokyo v. Kashiwa Reysol
TITLE – FC Tokyo Hoping to Get Back to ACL Challenging Place!
FC Tokyo – MF Otake out for the season. DF Ota out for a month at least. FWs Ishikawa and Hirayama must also be considered doubtful.
Reysol have no new injuries to report as of Sunday, just two reserve GKs on the injury list.
Seven wins for Reysol, six for FC Tokyo, and two draws – all in J1 or the Nabisco Cup – over the last decade.
FC Tokyo were, according to even their biggest fans were dire in a 1-0 defeat to Marinos last week, so a 2-0 win at the weekend over Cerezo Osaka was a huge boost to them and a win here would take them within touching distance of the J1-championship-chasing pack.
Kashiwa Reysol (P14 W6 D3 L5 GD +2) gained a last gasp point at the weekend, scoring a very late game-tying goal after a penalty was originally saved, Kondo finishing off the rebound to save a point against Kashima Antlers. Before that draw they had a run of four wins and are confident that the ball can run for them after their last minute heroics against Kashima!
Expect a DRAW!