GW459 - J1 League - DRAFT NOTES (Patreon)

Intro

Not going to have time today to finish a proper detailed draft report. Instead have put together the main points that have come up so far.

Will post the final normal report with lineup predictions and % etc tomorrow morning Japan time which is about 12hrs before the deadline. 

Fixtures

Main points

• The biggest game of the wkend is clash between my 2 title favs... Kobe vs Hiroshima.

• On paper very hard game to call! I still love Hiroshima in particular for score potential and how they have started the season. Even if they concede, the def stack can still score great.
• YFM played midweek on Wednesday in a crunch ACL game. Their game is on Sunday but there is 1) risk of rotation 2) limited team news. Yan went off with a leg injury and though no official news yet, is unlikely to play this wkend imo.
• Mini crisis underway at FC Tokyo. No wins from their first 3 games. Trevisan suspended and lots  of talk of changes this game including Ogashiwa coming in. Fukuoka is a tough ground to go to so I prefer them/their defense
• Sapporo are also winless and also have yet to score this season! Sugeno missed last wk with a surprise hand injury, he is back in training but still doubtful. Nakamura returns from suspension so Suga to LWB v likely.
• Machida have started great and their performances excellent/mature. They are my favs in this game & their defense is looking very solid. 
• Kashiwa have also had a very stable start to the season with consistent teams. Savio is in sublime form with Koga+Inukai marshalling the back.
• Nagoya are pointless and lacking any form. Manager trying different things but team is playing flat. Junker unlikely to feature and Yonemoto back at DCM. A team I suggest to avoid/use in least important lineup. 
• Gamba had a break last week. Usami scored the winner vs Niigata in MW2 so surely continues (!) and similar lineup expected. Nice matchup esp ichimori + nakatani
• Cerezo have played well and could have scored more imo. Ceara came off the bench to score winner last game and should start here. Fernandes not seen in training, Capixaba likely rested again
• For Kashima, Sekigawa and Chinen back in training. Higuchi was missing yesterday, checking to find info.  
• Kawasaki lost again. Kamifukumoto should continue in nets but team feels unstable. Jesiel back in full training. Erison in light training at the moment. 
• Scholz not seen in training for Urawa and almost cert out. Light hamstring strain and waiting for info. Maeda and Ito are fine.

The injury tracker can be found here 

The Japan squad was also announced. They have two games against North Korea coming up in the World Cup qualifiers that should be covered! Squad below:

Shall send the normal report and other analysis in the morning!