Almost going undetected, Gamba Osaka has found themselves back in contention of the Championship stage. The club is hoping to qualify by topping the second stage table. They currently sit in third place and considering that the top two teams can’t both win this weekend, there’s a real opportunity for Gamba Osaka to climb up the table. Their rise in the second stage is largely down to a very sleek defensive operation, which has seen them only concede six goals so far. The team will also be riding high as they notched up three successive wins now and will be confident of another win here.
Vissel Kobe can be guilty of disappearing into mid-table obscurity, they are under no immediate relegation threat, however, are not in any shape or form challenging for the title. The club and fans might not be jumping for joy, but will appreciate an aspect of stability considering it wasn’t long ago the club were relegated and spent a year in the second division. Should current form continue, Vissel Kobe will complete another campaign in the top flight and next season will be the progression year, to drive the club upwards. The club is home to one of the top scorers in the league, Leandro, who’s found the net an impressive thirteen times. That’s inclusive of his goal last weekend where the team ran out as 4-1 winners against F.C. Tokyo.
The teams know each other fairly well, having met thirty times prior. The teams were even relegated together in 2012 and as a result, the fixture was contested in the 2013 J2 league. There’s been no shortage of goals either, Gamba Osaka famously won 5-1 away from home – whether as Vissel Kobe’s last victory in Osaka was back in 2012, the relegation year, where they won 3-2. Given that one team can still push on and the other may stagnate not having much to contest, it may as well be a walkover for Gamba Osaka.
Elsewhere in the league, basement team, Avispa Fukuoka continues to fight off the icy hand of relegation as they travel to the Big Swan stadium to play Albirex Niigata. Júbilo Iwata will enjoy the company of Sagan Tosu as the away team look to make an impact on the second stage table standings and catapult themselves into Championship stage contention. Unbeaten Yokohama FM travel to the capital for a game against mid-table, yet fading, F.C. Tokyo. The travelling side was at one point in the mix to top the second stage table but have fallen from the pack a win here could revive their chances. There’s no respite for Nagoya Grampus as they take on an impressive looking Kashiwa Reysol side. Eighth-placed Omiya Ardija welcome ninth-placed Vegalta Sendai in a upper-mid-table clash.
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