Vissel Kobe will be looking to continue their push for top spot in the J1 League when they take on Sagan Tosu at Noevir Stadium Kobe on Sunday evening.
The hosts are in second place, having taken 40 points from their opening 19 games, while the visitors are firmly rooted in mid-table, currently sitting in eighth.
Match preview
Vissel Kobe have never won the J1 League before, but they are in a very strong position to bring the title home for the first time, as they are just three points behind league leaders Yokohama F Marinos, with a game in hand at their disposal.
The key to Ushi's success has been their fantastic defensive record so far this season, having conceded just 14 league goals, the fewest of any side in the division, and they have kept clean sheets in two out of their last three league games.
In the most recent of those, Takayuki Yoshida's side emerged as 1-0 winners away at Albirex Niigata, with Yuya Osako scoring the only goal of the game in the first half, closing the gap on Yokohama F Marinos, who drew their last match away at Nagoya Grampus.
Vissel Kobe have taken huge strides this season, having finished in 13th place in the previous campaign, and they have a fantastic recent record against Sunday's opponents, which should give them confidence heading into the match.
Ushi have won each of the last four matches between the two sides without conceding a goal, winning the reverse fixture at the Ekimae Real Estate Stadium 1-0 earlier this season.
As such, Sagan Tosu face a very tough test this weekend, but their recent form has been promising, having collected 10 points from their last five games, the joint-third highest total of any side in the division.
Inconsistency has been a real issue for Sagan, having failed to win consecutive J1 league games all season, but they are on an upward trend at the moment, winning two of their last three games, including a 6-0 thrashing of Shonan Bellmare in their last away trip.
As things stand, Kenta Kawai's side are 10 points behind third-placed Nagoya, with just under half of the season left to play, meaning they could still make a push for the AFC Champions League qualification places, but they would have to go on a very good run of form.
Although Sagan Tosu have improved recently, they succumbed to a 4-3 defeat against Roasso Kumamoto after extra time in their last match, having conceded a 90th-minute equaliser, exiting the Emperor's Cup at the round of 16 stage.
Team News
Vissel Kobe's main attacking threat is Yuya Osako, and the striker is set to return to the starting lineup after being benched in the last match, with Jean Patric making way.
Yoshinori Muto was also rested for the opening 60 minutes against Jubilo Iwata, with the right-winger also poised to regain his place in the side, and Koya Yuruki is likely to keep his place on the opposite flank.
Ayumu Yokoyama scored his first goal for Sagan Tosu last time out, and the 20-year-old forward could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup, replacing Yuji Ono.
Winger Jun Nishikawa and central midfielder Akito Fukuta have also staked their claim for a rare start after finding the back of the net against Roasso Kumamoto.
Vissel Kobe possible starting lineup:
Maekawa; Sakai, Thuler, Osaki, Hatsuse; Saito, Sasaki, Yamaguchi; Muto, Yuruki, Osako
Sagan Tosu possible starting lineup:
Park; Harada, Hwang, Yamazaki, Kikuchi; Tezuka, Kawahara, Naganuma, Horigome, Iwasaki; Yokoyama
We say: Vissel Kobe 1-0 Sagan Tosu
Vissel Kobe have been fantastic so far this season, particularly defensively, having conceded the fewest goals of any team in the division.
As such, we expect the hosts to emerge as narrow winners, keeping the pressure on top-of-the-table Yokohama F Marinos.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
