Yokohama F.Marinos – MF Saito is with the Olympic team. DF Amano is out for the season.

Albirex Niigata – MF Honma, FWs Bruno Lopes and Yano are suspended. DF Suzuki is with the Olympic team. DF Uchida out for the season. FW Musashi Suzuki out for three months. New CB/LB signed from Omiya Ardija – Tsubouchi.

9 wins for Marinos, 7 for Albirex and 5 draws over the last decade, all in J1 or the Nabisco Cup.

Yokohama F. Marinos are low scorers, but low conceders – the best defence in J1 and their position now, just 7 points off the top spot and on an impressive unbeaten run must seem like a miracle to fans who were calling for the head of the manager after a bad start to the season! If the likes of Marquinhos and Ono can stay fit and score goals, ably assisted by Oguro Marinos will continue to rise up the table and challenge for a top 6 spot. When Saito returns from the Olympics they’ll be even better but that’s another story! Today, with Albirex Niigata missing key players Bruno Lopes, last week’s point-winning goalscorer Yano and influential midfielder, as well as centre back Suzuki at London 2012, I can not see Albirex getting anything out of this match. The 2-0 win over FC Tokyo was merely a blip as this team head for relegation.

EXPECT a WIN for YOKOHAMA F. MARINOS!