Omiya Target Fourth Straight Win Against Unbeaten Shonan; In-Form Toyama Face Fujieda [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J2 Matchweek 4]

All 10 Matchweek 4 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE will be played on 29 August.

Leaders Omiya host second-placed Shonan in a top-of-the-table clash. Omiya cruised past Sapporo last time out to become the only side to make it three wins from three. Carlinhos Junior has scored in each of his last two matches and already has three goals this season, and he will once again have an important role to play. Shonan, meanwhile, drew with Miyazaki and were unable to make it three straight wins. They remain unbeaten and have yet to concede this season and will look to maintain that solid defensive record against Omiya’s attack.

Third-placed Toyama host fifth-placed Fujieda in another meeting between two in-form sides. Toyama cruised to a 4-0 win over Imabari last time out and have now scored four goals in each of their last two matches. They will look to maintain that attacking momentum. Fujieda, meanwhile, lost to Niigata and were unable to make it three straight wins. Can 17-year-old Maki Kitahara, who scored in Wednesday’s Emperor's Cup, provide another spark?

Tochigi City host Iwata after beating Tosu to make it two straight wins and move up to fourth. Expectations will once again be high for Tokmac Nguen, who scored twice in that victory. Iwata beat Tokushima to claim their first win of the season. New signing Iago Teles opened his account in that match and could again have an important role to play.

Hachinohe host Akita after losing to Sendai for their second straight defeat. Having failed to score in either of their last two matches, they will need more from their attack. Akita cruised past Kofu to record their first win of the season. Set pieces produced two of their goals in that match and could again be a key weapon.

Sendai host Miyazaki after beating Hachinohe to claim their first win of the season. They have kept clean sheets in each of their last two matches and will look to maintain that defensive solidity. Miyazaki drew with Shonan and remain winless. They will look to carry the momentum from their Emperor's Cup victory over Iwata into league action as they target their first J2 win.

Iwaki host Niigata after losing to Oita for their second straight defeat. Having conceded seven goals in their last two matches, tightening up their defence will be a key priority. Niigata beat Fujieda to make it two straight wins. Can Kazuyoshi Shimabuku, who has scored in each of the last two matches, deliver again?

Yokohama FC host Tosu after losing to Yamagata and missing the chance to make it three straight wins. Despite taking 19 shots, they failed to score, so improving their quality in front of goal will be key. Tosu lost 3-1 to Tochigi City last time out. Improving their game management after the break will be an important focus after showing vulnerability in the second half of that match.

Kofu and Sapporo meet again after facing each other in Wednesday’s Emperor's Cup, when Kofu claimed a 3-1 victory. Kofu remain winless after three league matches. Can Michele Staccioli, who scored twice in the cup win, now make an impact in the league? Sapporo lost to Omiya for their second straight defeat. Having conceded six goals in their last two matches, they will look to tighten up their defence and avenge Wednesday’s defeat.

Tokushima host Oita after losing to Iwata and remain winless after three matches. With goals proving hard to come by, they will be hoping Lucas Barcelos can open his account for the season. Oita beat Iwaki to record their first win. Yasufumi Nishimura scored twice in that victory and will once again be expected to lead the attack.

Imabari host Yamagata after losing to Toyama to suffer their third straight defeat to start the season. They did, however, beat Akita 4-1 in the Emperor's Cup. Can they carry that momentum into the league and claim their first win of the season? Yamagata beat Yokohama FC 2-0 last time out. Keigo Enomoto came off the bench to contribute a goal and an assist, and how he is used could again be key.