Cerezo Osaka – DF Sakemoto out for about two months.
Nagoya Grampus – FWs Kennedy and Tamada are back in action, although still to get more match fit! Reserve GK Takagi injured.

5 wins for Cerezo, 8 for Grampus and 5 draws in the last decade or so.

Cerezo have won their last two and are on a one-loss-in-five run and seem to be finally back at full strength after injuries and London 2012 Olympic duties decimated their team. They are five points clear of the drop zone and will be looking for 2 or 3 more wins in their final ten games to reach a safety plateau of around 38 points. Defender Sakemoto is their only injury and they will be looking to build on that decent run.

Nagoya Grampus have Nagai back from London 2012, Kennedy and Tamada back from injury and have won their last two, after two defeats before those games. They are still within reach of the top spot (7 points) or an ACL spot (4 points) and will be looking for a third win in-a-row to keep their hopes alive. If Kennedy is on form, he takes defenders out of the game and creates space for those around him, expect Nagai to take advantage of that, if the Cerezo defence allow it.
EXPECT a DRAW!