Nagoya Grampus – FW Nagai is with the Olympic team. FWs Kennedy and Tamada both out. MF Isomura out for at least a month more. MF Danilson and FW Kanazaki also doubtful starters.

11 wins for Nagoya, five for Kobe, and three draws since 2003, Vissel’s last win coming in 2007, when they won 5-0 at home!
Nagoya Grampus are struggling with inconsistency caused by injuries all over the field, as well as the loss of Nagai to the Olympics. They are currently without their three first choice strikers, forcing the team to select Tulio at centre forward in the last two games. While he did score last time out, Nagoya went down to a shock defeat to bottom club Consadole and need to make improvements. Sitting in 8th place, they have won only one of their last five and have a positive goal difference of just one goal – if they intend to push for the top, or at least a top three place, things need to improve NOW! Tulio at centre forward is NOT the answer!

Vissel Kobe held Gamba Osaka last time out for only their 2nd draw of the season (they have drawn their last two games, actually) and looked good in places as coach Akira Nishino puts his attacking stamp onto his team. They have lost once in the last five, and that in a game where they were all over top team Vegalta Sendai but failed to score and let in a counter attack to go down 1-0. Things look promising as the team starts to gel and, although in 12th place they are just four points away from Jubulo in 4th, so a good run could see them rise up the table rapidly. The defence is growing in stature with national teamer Inoha in charge and teenager Ogawa up front is a handful for any defence.
EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!