Kagoshima and Gifu Clash with Perfect Starts on the Line; Ehime Target Third Straight Win at Matsumoto [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J3 Matchweek 3]

Ten matches will be played in Matchweek 3 of the MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE on the 22nd and 23rd.

Kagoshima and Gifu meet with both sides looking to make it three wins from three. Kagoshima recorded a comfortable 3-1 win over Nara last time out. The attacking duo of Keito Kawamura and Ryo Arita, who both found the net in that match, will once again have important roles to play. Gifu, meanwhile, thrashed Kochi 7-0 and have now scored 10 goals in two matches. Expectations will again be high for Hayato Kanda, who already has three goals to his name.

Ehime are also looking to make it three straight wins as they travel to face Matsumoto. They defeated Tottori 4-0 last time out and have scored four goals in each of their opening two matches. Can the in-form duo of Shota Tamura and Shota Hino deliver again? Matsumoto lost to Shiga last time out, handing their opponents their first J3 win, and remain winless after two matches. Improving their game management in the second half will be a key priority.

FC Osaka host Ryukyu after beating Nagano 4-2 last time out. They also defeated Nara 4-1 in the Emperor's Cup, with their attack continuing to fire. Can Takumi Shimada, who scored his first goal of the season against Nagano, produce another performance to give his side further momentum? Ryukyu lost to Yamaguchi and were unable to mark their first match of the season with a win. Having created chances but failed to score, they will be looking for more from their attack.

Nara host Yamaguchi after losing to Kagoshima to suffer their second straight defeat. They have conceded 11 goals in three competitive matches, including the Emperor's Cup, making defensive improvement an urgent priority. Yamaguchi edged Ryukyu to record their first win. Can Hikaru Naruoka, who scored the winner, make another decisive contribution?

Tochigi SC host Kitakyushu after drawing with Kumamoto last time out and missing the chance to make it back-to-back wins. Can the young duo of Wadi Ibrahim Suzuki and Jiro Nakamura, who both scored in the Emperor's Cup, make their mark in the league as well? Kitakyushu played out a goalless draw with Sanuki. They pushed their opponents back but lacked a cutting edge, making greater quality in front of goal a key priority.

Gunma host Shiga after losing to Sagamihara to suffer their second straight defeat. Shido Izuma, who scored twice in the Emperor's Cup, will be looking to help turn things around. Shiga defeated Matsumoto to record their first J3 win. Can Shinta Hojo, who came off the bench to score a stunning hat-trick, shine again this matchweek?

Tottori and Fukushima meet with both sides searching for their first win. Tottori suffered a heavy defeat to Ehime last time out and will need to tighten up a defence that conceded four goals. Fukushima lost a seven-goal thriller to Kanazawa to suffer their second straight defeat. They responded with a convincing win in the Emperor's Cup, scoring seven goals. Can Kazuyoshi Miura, who struck twice in that match, make his mark in the league as well?

Kumamoto host Nagano after playing out a goalless draw with Tochigi SC last time out. With both of their opening two matches ending 0-0, they need to find a way to score. Can Jeongmin Bae, who leads the line, deliver? Nagano lost to FC Osaka and were unable to make it back-to-back wins. Shu Yoshizawa, who scored twice, will again be key to their attack.

Sagamihara host Kanazawa after a convincing 4-1 win over Gunma last time out. Expectations will again be high for Kai Sasaki, who played a starring role with two goals. Kanazawa edged Fukushima in a seven-goal thriller to record their first win. Can Keita Shirawachi, who struck a dramatic late winner, make another decisive contribution?

Kochi host Sanuki after suffering a heavy defeat to Gifu last time out. Their struggles continued in the Emperor's Cup, where they were beaten by Verspah Oita. As well as tightening up a defence that conceded seven goals against Gifu, they desperately need more from an attack that has yet to score in three competitive matches. Sanuki drew with Kitakyushu and were unable to make it back-to-back wins. They created chances but failed to score, and will be hoping Yusuke Goto, who wears the No. 10 shirt, can open his account for the season.