Jubilo Iwata – FW Yamazaki is with Japan’s Olympic team, FW Baek is with Korea’s Olympic team. GK Kawaguchi is out for the season. FW Kanazono is out for at least another two months. MF Matsuoka is out for the season. MF Yamamoto out for a month. Incoming Jubilo have Kobayashi on loan from Tokyo Verdy, an interesting signing.
Kawasaki Frontale – GK Ando is with the Olympic team. DFs Jeci and Komiyama are considered over their injuries, but DF Morishita will be out for at least two months.

Eight wins apiece and a couple of draws over the last decade. Very even!

Jubilo Iwata have faltered, as predicted earlier in the season, over the last few games – they have lost three of their last five, but are still scoring high in goals and will always be dangerous. They have signed 20-year-old Yuki Kobayashi from Tokyo Verdy on loan – a big, and surprising loss for Verdy, but a nice surprise for the Jubilo fans, I think. He has been almost ever-present for Verdy in J2 and is expected to be able to make the step-up to J1 with ease. Missing players at the Olympics and through injury, he will be an excellent short term replacement but will also mix up the competition for places in the future, not a bad thing for a team faltering mid-season.

Kawasaki Frontale beat Omiya Ardija 4-1 last time out, with ease, but their previous four games saw two losses and two draws as their inconsistent season continues. Including that four goal haul last week they have still scored only 26 goals, conceding the same amount, also, leaving their goal difference at zero. They need to do something about that and perhaps letting go influential midfielder Tasaka (to Vfl Bochum) will not help the cause. The likes of forwards Yajima, Kurotsu and Komatsu need to start converting the chances supplied by Kengo Nakamura and co. if Frontale are to end the season anywhere but an average side. Today sees a side on the wane, with a side showing inconsistency – it’s anyone’s guess but let’s …

EXPECT A DRAW!