Consadole Sapporo – DF Osanai out for a month.
Vissel Kobe – MF/FW Ogawa is suspended. DF Komoto has moved to Omiya Ardija on loan. DF Iwanami is away with the Japan U19 team.

3 wins for Kobe, 1 for Sapporo and 4 draws since 2005.

Two wins for Consadole in their last three games has started to give them hope, while Vissel Kobe have been somewhat inconsistent since new coach Akira Nishino came on board, but the signs of a decent team are there. With centre back Komoto being allowed to go out on loan it seems that Inoha has settled into the centre back position after being used at defensive MF earlier in the season. Vissel are building from the back, with Kitamoto as the other centre back and Okui and Soma settled in as side backs, Vissel now need to build a midfield but the signs are good. With a win against Urawa Reds last week under their belt they should have the confidence to stop Sapporo in their tracks and end their mini-revival. A win for Vissel – and other results going their way – could see them move into the top ten, where they belong, with a view to building for a big finish.

Consadole Sapporo are 11 points way from safety with 13 games left – IF they are to have any chance of survival they must win their home games at least, so they will not be a pushover, but EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!