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Previews

PREVIEW May 12th 18:30 Vissel Kobe v. Nagoya Grampus at Home's Stadium

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Three Wins in-a-row for Managerless Kobe!

Vissel Kobe – Both MF Hashimoto (short-term injury) and CB Komoto (long term injury) played out a reserve team game on Wednesday and may be considered available. FW Tashiro will miss another two weeks. FW Okubo was on unused substitute last week but is not expected to be available.

Nagoya Grampus – FW Josh Kennedy managed a half, and a goal last game but is not considered fully match fit. MF Isomura is out for at least four months with a metatarsal fracture.

Vissel Kobe (P10 W5 D0 L5 GD -2) have won their last two games (home against Omiya and away at Cerezo Osaka) since firing coach Wada. Interim coach Adachi is doing a great job but is not in contention to keep that position. A new coach is expected to be named very soon. Youngsters like Ogawa, Morioka and Okui are blossoming and the experienced heads ike Kitamoto, Nozawa and Inoha are blending in well now. Vissel have publicly stated that they are aiming for a top four finish – they just might get it if they can remain consistent now.

Nagoya Grampus (P9 W4 D2 L3 GD +2) are below Vissel and struggling to start their season. Injuries to Kennedy and ACL commitments have stretched the squad and they have been inconsistent so far. Kennedy returned for a half last week, scoring a spectacular goal in the process, but will struggle to make a full game if he is selected. Players like Tamada, Fujimoto and Tulio will have to pull their weight if they are to rise up the table in the coming weeks. Today, impetus and home advantage means we should EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

Historically, over the last decade Nagoya won just two of the first eight meetings between these two teams but, since a 5-0 in September 2007 Vissel have managed just two wins out of the last ten meetings. Overall it’s ten wins for Grampus, three wins for Vissel, with five draws.

Previews

PREVIEW – Nagoya Grampus v. Kawasaki Frontale – May 6th

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Frontale to Hold Grampus to more dropped points!

Nagoya Grampus – DF Hayuma Tanaka is suspended. Still no news coming out of the camp on fitness of FW Josh Kennedy so he must still be considered doubtful.

Kawasaki Frontale – DF Jeci out for at least another month. DF Komiyama expected to be out 4 to 6 weeks.

Nagoya Grampus (P8 W4 D2 L2 GD +3) had the J.league week off for ACL play, so have a game in hand on their rivals now, but lost last time out to Urawa Reds – at home – and only managed a draw with Sanfrecce before that, so will be looking to halt the slide. he has his knockers but the top scorer of 2010 and 2011 – Josh Kennedy – is obviously missed by Grampus and the team will be hoping he recovers from injury sooner rather than later!

Kawasaki Frontale (P9 W4 D1 L4 GD -2) made the coaching change early on, even though they had a decent start results-wise to the season. Coach Soma bit the dust as the style of play was not satisfying to the powers-that-be at Frontale and the new coach has certainly stamped his mark on the team already. leaving Brazilians on the bench, for example! Playing Inamoto at centre back may be a master stroke, only time will tell, but a 4-3 win over Jubilo in the last game will give his team some confidence, although they’ll be looking to concede less goals in the next game! The adrenalin of a new coach and that last win may carry Frontale to a point this weekend. Expect a Draw!

Frontale have nine wins, to Grampus’ four, with three draws over the years. Nagoya won both games last season.