Sorare Tactics

GW 500 J1 League Preview - FINAL

Added 2024-08-09 09:09:30 +0000 UTC

Game are coming thick and fast! After yesterdays matches we have a full schedule of J league games coming up this wkend...and hopefully no more pesky storms

Fixtures

Matches are spread out over the weekend with the vast majority coming up on Sunday. There is some general rotation risk with 2 games in quick succession especially given the extremely humid conditions teams are playing in.

Teams will get a week break after this game so that reduces the risk somewhat.

J1 Table

Kashima got a comprehensive win against struggling Sagan to move 3 points to the top of the table. Hiroshima got a late winner to move ahead of Kobe who had a nightmare evening lose 3-0 against Kawasaki and having 2 players sent off.

Kyoto came from behind to win 3-2 to Nagoya and are in excellent form as they move away from the relegation zone. Sapporo narrowly lost to an improving YFM side and remain rooted to the bottom of the table

Main Point

Thuler (Kobe), Iino (Kobe), Peixoto (Iwata), Germain (Iwata) Uchida, (Nagoya), Morishima (Nagoya), Togashi (Cerezo) .Sugioka (Machida) cant play due to contractual reasons
We have seen lots of transfers in the last couple of weeks! Best place to see these are here
Yokohama (Sagan) has now been allowed to leave to complete his expected transfer to Birmingham City (league not covered on Sorare)
Urawa vs Kashiwa was postponed last game, no new date given. Teams will be fresh for this GW
Players like Ohata (Urawa), Sekine and Hosoya (Kashiwa) are expected to return after resting last game due to u23 Olympics fatigue
Elber went off due to fatigue from the heat. Should be ok but slight risk
Popp and Kojima returned to nets last game and look good to go
Kyoto are the form team and unbeaten in 6 with 4 wins and 2 draws.
Hiroshima and YFM have won 3 games in a row
Sagan have lost their 3 games in a row
Nagoya have picked up just 4 points from their last 7 games.

SO5 Analysis

Best xG - Hiroshima (1.69xG)

Best Clean sheet odds -Kashima (42% CS)

Best Stack - Kashima, Urawa

Kashima have a very favourable fixture against an out of form Iwata who also have their two main strikers out suspended. A clean sheet looks decent too.

Sagan Tosu are struggling and also have lost a number of key players with further rumours of Ryan potentially leaving. Although Urawa have had an inconsistent season they are big favourites here.

Hiroshima have decent odds against Cerezo however I reckon the game will be tighter than the bookies suggest. Cerezo style on the counter can cause Hiroshima issues although with their recent signings have improved their defensive strength

Players I like this GW are - Suzuki, Yan, Sekigawa, Yamada, Hoibraten, Ito

Predicted Lineups

Important to note the %s used here. If no %, it means I see them as a starter and no known risks. For sorare, its about there scorer potential so check out KEY PLAYERS even subs have a way :)

When 75% or below - 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. Saying that, there will always be unknowns including last minute injury/illness of a player etc.

Always do your own research when making picks. For SO5, it can make sense to take some calculated risks depending on the potential score and the rest of your team/prize pool.

Sapporo vs Fukuoka

Sapporo

Bottom of table. Performances improving. Lost last week
Have signed a few players. At the moment unclear if able to start. Manager hinted theres some player registration issues
Takao was likely ill and missed last game. His current status unclear
Without a clean sheet in 14 games.

Fukuoka

Douglas Grolli condition unclear
This game is played further norther, humidity less of issue. Zahedi should start imo.

Machida vs Shonan

Machida

Top of the table. Drew last game
Sugioka cant play due to contractual reasons
Lots of options up front especially. Risk of changing up after a blank midweek. In general Oh Se Hun and Fujio pref choices.

Shonan

In decent form now out of the relegation zone.
Hiraoka. Onose and Abe, Hata all out injured. J.Suzuki available after suspension
Yoshida played well as LWB. Slight injury needing stiches though should be fine to go again.

Hiroshima vs Cerezo

Hiroshima

3 wins in a row
Ohashi has left to Blackburn. Mitusta likely play higher poisition
Kawabe available to play. If he does start, unclear who makes way/the midfield combo
Sotiriou is an injury doubt and likely out.

Cerezo

Solid draw vs Machida midweek
Capi is out injured
Nishio started at RB. Likely continue the same 4 at the back

Iwata vs Kashima

Iwata

In relegation zone, in poor form
Watanabe inline to start after both normal strikers suspended.
Kawashima situation remains unclear, Miura likely to continue in nets.

Kashima

Chinen returns from suspension. Misao is an excellent player but likely makes way (one to watch how he is used, could see formation tweak etc)
Cavric is out injured, restricts option up front.
Versitile players like Nakama can play multiple spots and has been favoured over Higuchi. Squad has been relatively stable this season
2nd in the table

Kashiwa vs Gamba

Kashiwa

Game cancelled midweek
Sekine and Hosoya almost certain to come in
Inukai returned last game and the Koga + Inukai partnership is a big boost for the side.
Tezuka has joined. Unclear if able to play yet

Gamba

Usami returns from suspension - huge boost for side
Dawhan an injury concern
A few options in winger spots/Alano pushing for start

Nagoya vs Tokyo Verdy

Nagoya

Dismal 3-2 loss midweek after Uchida sent off
Ono out injured. Nagai only in partial training
Junker came on as sub, might start but not a given given hes been out for so long and rusty.
Kikuchi could make debut
Ha Chang Rae struggling with form and slight injury. Fav to come for Uchida however Nogami /Inoue other options.

Tokyo Verdy

Fuki Yamada suspended
Tsunashima available after suspension
Morita played some mins from bench. CLub being careful in using him
Hard to predict the setup in midfield. Could change if formation is 4 or 3 at the back
Matsumura made debut last game and did well which adds to options in mid

Sagan vs Urawa

2nd bottom of the table. In dismal form.
Lots of players leaving or linked to moves away. Kikuchi and Naganuma have transferred
Yokohama is not available as in contract talks.
Manager Sacked today. Makes lineup situation unclear, avoid players if poss

Urawa

In general, having poor season given expectations as title contenders.
Last game was cancelled but we got the lineup. I expect the same outside Ohata coming in
No news on Santana or Maeda, assumed illness/injury as were in training on Tuesday.

FC Tokyo vs Kawasaki

FC Tokyo

Team unstable, lots of changes in players and formation.
Diego situation not clear.
Araki could start after returning from olympics
Trevisan and Kashif seen in training. Remain risks for this game.
No news on Kimoto. Doi and Oka favs to continue after impressing.

Kawasaki

Having poor season but have won last two games.
Likely keep to same lineup as midweek. Takai is another option at CB

YFM vs Kobe

YFM

3 wins on the bounce as side look to stabilize a v poor season.
Popp returned to nets, should continue now
Elber went off feeling unwell due to heat. Slight risk as limited info at this stage.
Rest of team should remain similar as in good form
Nagato back in light training, unlikely to play this games.

Kobe

Lost 3-0 midweek with 2 players sent off with fiery game.
Sakai is out injured. Miyashiro and Yamaguchi are doubts
With suspensions, unclear who will be RB. Honda in light training. Could see Kikuchi there and Iwanami at CB.
LW position also unstable, a few options available

Niigata vs Kyoto (This game is on Monday, limited news available)

Niigata

Kojima returned last game
Ota in full training. Hoshi also in training and another choice in midfield. Komi missed training earlier this week
Team rotates alot at CB and up front especially.