Kashiwa Reysol (P8 W2 D2 L4 GD -2) were on ACL duty in the week so did not play in the J.League. Last time out, last weekend they were held by Sagan Tosu and have now dropped to 15th place (although they do have that game in hand now). Their season has probably been disappointing so far, although all first time entrants into the ACL, if not ALL ACL entrants, seem to have trouble juggling the schedule of two competitions, Reysol being no exception so far this campaign. They will be looking for a home win to appease their unruly fans!

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (P9 W5 D1 L3 GD +7) were probably hoping, if not expecting to be sitting pretty in 2nd place now but went down to Albirex Niigata last time out, surprising everyone. Very much an off day for an inspired 2012 Sanfrecce, under young coach Moriyasu. Hisato Sato is leading by example and must be pushing for a recall to the national team. Expect Reysol to get the backlash from last week’s surprise defeat and for Sanfrecce to come out of this with a point to stop the rot. Except a Draw!

Reysol have three wins, to Sanfrecce’s two, and we have five draws in ten meetings between these two teams. Sanfrecce’s wins came in 2009 and 2004.