GW351 Predicted Lineup Report - J1 League (Patreon)

Intro

In a few hours time, we have the Yokohama FM vs Hiroshima game! I am expecting an even and eventful game which is hard to call with two of the best teams in league playing!

This is one of the 4 games being streamed on the J League international channel which can be found here

Over the weekend we have the remaining 8 games which count for this GW on Sorare:

Predicted Lineups

These can also be found on Playsharper website here

Important to note the %s used here and where they are not above 75% it is because I feel there is some risk involved. My main aim with these is to show where risk/potential DNPs are lurking.

I base these %s on info I read from various sources including comments from the manager and reading a lot of local Japanese news coverage/message boards.

These are my own opinion of the situation at each team. I try to be as neutral as possible but we all have biases :) So always do your own research when making picks!

Kawasaki vs Shonan Bellmare

Notes

• Sasaki is fit to play at LB
• Jesiel is back from suspension and will play with Ominami
• Segawa is facing his previous team and theres some talk he starts. I am not a big fan of managers/teams picking players for sentimental reasons and feel its just the press talking.
• Oshima is a fan favourite and that mid spot in the team is hotly contested with Tono/Schmidt/Chanathip

Notes

• Ishihara went off with an injury. I havent seen him in training so he is a big risk here.
• Training notes suggest Onose plays in that spot with Tariq coming and/or Ikeda coming into the midfield. My confidence on this is relatively low tbh Okamoto can also play RWB.
• Ohashi and Machino have impressed and no need to change here unless theres an unknown fitness issue

Odds

Prediction

I expect Kawasaki to dominate this game though will need to be wary of Shonan especially on the counter. This is also the first time Jesiel and Ominami have played together which makes them potentially vulnerable.

Kawasaki 2 - 1 Shonan

Yokohama FC vs Kashima Antlers

Notes

• Hasegawa and Brodersen did play in a training game last week however it remains uncertain if they start here/their role in the team
• Gabriel went off with an injury last GW and was seen with ice on his knee. He is unlikely to start this game.

Notes

• Araki is suspended for this game
• Shoji seen in full training and practicing with Ueda. I have this pairing favourite to start with Sekigawa making way. This is not a given as Shoji missed a chunk of preseason and they may not want to risk him yet hence the 60% confidence levels.
• Fujii and Chinen missed training earlier in the week but they both looked fine on Wednesday and completed full training

Odds

Prediction

YFC performances have been solid and I expect them to cause Kashima problems. I see a score draw the most probable outcome here

YFC 1 - Kashima Antlers 1

Niigata vs Sapporo

Notes

• Deng started and impressed last game. I see him playing again after surprisingly missing the opening game
• Chiba should partner him however the manager is known to change the CB pairing alot with Fitzgerald in the frame too

Notes

• Sugeno not seen in training so unlikely for this game
• Ogashiwa has been in training and in the running to start. Fernandes also seen but uncertain if fit enough to start
• Arano went off with an injury last game but was in full training since midweek and has said hes fit to play
• Baba missed 1 day of training due to illness. He is fit and can play multiple roles. Im hoping he plays in defence but for now, it is uncertain

Odds

Prediction

Niigata have impressed me in their opening two games. I expect them to win this game against a vulnerable Sapporo team who have blown hot and cold so far this season.

Niigata 1-0 Sapporo

Kyoto vs FC Tokyo

• Kyoto have been very disappointing so far this season
• There has been alot of changes with the lineups. I am unsure if players are injured or if it was tactical eg Matsuda and Hahn not in the squad last game. Matsuda is in training and could start here.

Notes

• Nakamura is suspended for this game. Abe is out injured and Matsuki with the U20 squad
• Morishige is back in full training and in the running to start this game.
• Nakagawa was seen in training and the manager has hinted he will play. Watanabe missed training today so is a big doubt for this game.
• Perotti has been impressing in training. I still dont see him starting yet but is something to monitor

Odds

Prediction

Kyoto are still trying to find any momentum this season and despite some players missing for FC Tokyo, I see them winning here.

Kyoto 0- 2 FC Tokyo

Vissel Kobe vs Gamba Osaka

Notes

• Sakai surprisingly missed last GW. He had a slight injury and is back in training. With no confirmation about his condition he is a risk here. I am personally using in a more speculative/less important team on Sorare.
• Kikuchi played 30 mins last week and should be good to go. Iino wasn't at his best and I could see Hatuse come in for either him or Sakai depending on the latters fitness
• Thuler is back in training though this game will be too soon for him
• Samper is close to full fitness and im waiting on the press conference to see any indication he could start here. Though Sasaki impressed me last week hes the player most at risk of being dropped and a more defensive midfielder like Samper or Osaki

Notes

• Jebali played some mins last week. Its hard to pick between him and Suzuki who scored last week
• Kwon Kyung Won missed training and could miss this game
• I expect Lavi to start again and the midfield battle to be key to this game
• Hard to pick the wingers with lots of similar level players. Usami I expect to continue in the free role position in-between midfield and attack.

Odds

Prediction

I have enjoyed watching both teams so far this season. Gamba have been in particular inconsistent, showing moments of brilliance followed by some defensive naivety. Overall, with this being a local derby, it to be an entertaining score draw

Kobe 2- 2 Gamba Osaka

Urawa vs Cerezo Osaka

Notes

• Koroki is inline to start upfront. Linssen has been disappointing though I still see him starting either upfront with Koroki or just behind. Urawa are still in the hunt for a striker in the transfer market, however so far this has proven frustrating.
• The manager may also shake things up in defence eg Akimoto being dropped. Iwao suffered a minor injury but looks fine to play
• This is Urawas first game and after two defeats, this game will give a good indicator about where they are as a team

Notes

• KJH is in full training and could start here. He did say he wasnt yet 100% so Cerezo may well be cautious with him. My gut feeling is he starts but I will only use in a less important team on Sorare
• Toriumi and Suzuki have also been suggested as coming in hence why the % is lower for Harakawa who has been rusty the first two games
• Yamanaka was in full training and could return depending on his condition
• Kagawa will again start from the bench

Odds

Prediction

Both teams have had disappointing starts. They have quality in their squad and I expect them to do fine this season however, with home advantage, I see Urawa edging this game in a tight contest.

Urawa 2 - 1 Cerezo Osaka

Fukuoka vs Kashiwa

Notes

• Murakami was surprisingly dropped last game. The manager himself said it was due to Nagishi playing against his previous team and being in "better condition". He also said he was undecided for the upcoming game, so things are as clear as mud!
• As Fukuoka impressed in their win and Nagaishi pulled off some key saves, I have him retaining the starting spot
• Ideguchi has yet to start and I have him on the bench again here

Notes

• Diego hasnt been seen in training and its still uncertain his condition.
• I expect a similar lineup to the previous game for Kashiwa with all key players looking fit in open training.

Odds

Prediction

Fukuoka have performed better than I expected at the start of the season. They still lack attacking power and I see this game being a low scoring game.

Fukuoka 1 - 1 Kashiwa

Sagan Tosu vs Nagoya

Notes

• Nakano is a big doubt for this game
• Nishikawa also went off injured the last game. He has been seen in training but uncertain if can start
• The defence for Sagan is particular lacking experience. I see a similar to last game making sense as they were relatively solid. With this manager, we could see changes!
• Kowahara is performing well and on most of the set pieces for Sagan

Notes

• Morishita was on a different training programme and is a doubt for this game. I expect Nogami to start
• Otherwise, I expect a similar side as their strongest X11

Odds

Prediction

Sagan are always hard to predict, they looked good as an attacking unit against Gamba but very vulnerable on the counter which suits Nagoyas style who I think will have too much for them

Sagan 1 - 2 Urawa

Finish

I hope found this useful!

As always these are just my own views on the situation based on research for each team.

I will be updating the Discord Channel with any info I see that could prove useful all the way to deadline, so keep a look out for that

We have the start of the league cup in midweek. Teams from J1 normally use this to rotate and test out young players. So dont be surprised if players are missing or taken off early :)

If you have any feedback or queries, just give me a shout on Discord

Good luck!