Sanfrecce Hiroshima – DF Yokotake is 50-50 and Yamagishi is also still recovering from injury and should be considered doubtful.
Nagoya Grampus – Josh Kennedy and Ryota Isomura must be considered doubtful.
Nagoya Grampus (P6 W4 D1 L1 GD +6) have been infuriatingly inconsistent in performance so far this season but HAVE got the results, even when playing badly, surely the sign of a team that will challenge for the Championship, but that’s not a surprise to anyone. Last time out they overcame Consadole Sapporo 3-1 at home, but it could have and should have been a bigger score than “just” 3-1. They won’t find it so easy at Hiroshima Sanfrecce (P6 W4 D0 L2 GD +5) who will close down fast, attack even faster, and with their fluid formation changes and disciplined team – begun by former coach Petrovic but continued by his disciple Moriyasu this season, Sanfrecce are playing above expectations.
Captain and talisman forward Hisashi Sato is among the goals for Sanfrecce and will need to be marked well but Tulio and co. in the Grampus defence.
Grampus also have speed and agility up front in Tamada and Nagai, who would cause a problem for any defence. With or without Kennedy the Grampus attack can be potent. EXPECT a scoring DRAW.
Sanfrecce have only three wins in 14 meetings between these two, although 5 of those 14 have been drawn. Nagoya have won three of the last four meetings and will make it hard for the home team.