Leaders Machida Travel to Nagoya; Kawasaki Frontale Face Shimizu in MUFG Stadium Clash [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J1 Matchweek 6]

All 10 Matchweek 6 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE will be played on 5 and 6 September.

Kashiwa and Kashima both lost in Wednesday's Matchweek 5 fixtures, leaving no side with a perfect record. As a result, Machida have moved top of the table.

Machida beat Kawasaki Frontale last time out to maintain their unbeaten start and now travel to face Nagoya. Can Koki Ogawa, who scored twice against Kawasaki Frontale, deliver again? Nagoya lost 3-0 to Hiroshima and missed the chance to make it three wins in a row. Tightening up a defence that conceded three will be important, but they also need more from an attack that managed just four shots and failed to score.

Kashiwa's perfect start came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Cerezo Osaka, and they now welcome Yokohama FM. Mao Hosoya has yet to score this season and will be keen to open his account as Kashiwa look to bounce back. Yokohama FM drew 1-1 with Kyoto and are winless in two. Kaina Tanimura has scored in back-to-back matches; can he find the goal that earns his side all three points?

Kashima also saw their perfect start ended as they lost the Ibaraki derby at Mito. They host Urawa, with Leo Ceara in superb form after scoring eight goals in five matches. However, tightening up a defence that has conceded 10 goals in five matches will be a key issue. Urawa beat Fukuoka to make it two wins in a row. Their attack is clicking, but they too have defensive concerns, so an open contest could be on the cards.

Hiroshima, like Machida, remain unbeaten and travel to Okayama for the Chugoku derby. They beat Nagoya 3-0 last time out and have conceded just two goals in five matches. The attacking trio of Akito Suzuki, Sebastien Haller and Mutsuki Kato could again be key. Okayama edged Chiba to claim their first win in three matches thanks to a late winner. They will look to carry that momentum into the derby and make it back-to-back wins, this time against their regional rivals.

Kobe host Nagasaki after beating Tokyo V 2-0 to make it two wins in a row. Yuya Osako returned to action for the first time in three matches; can he make an impact and help them build further momentum? Nagasaki drew with Gamba Osaka and remain winless since the opening match. After fading late and surrendering a two-goal lead, their game management in the closing stages will be an area to address.

Kawasaki Frontale face Shimizu at MUFG Stadium. Kawasaki suffered their first defeat of the season against Machida last time out. They are unbeaten in their last 15 meetings with Shimizu, with 11 wins and four draws, and will look to extend that strong record as they try to climb the table. Shimizu drew with FC Tokyo to end their three-match losing run but are winless in four. Having scored only two goals in five matches, they lack a cutting edge. Can Kosuke Kinoshita, who scored his first goal since joining the club, provide the spark?

Fukuoka host Mito after losing to Urawa for a third straight defeat. Tightening up a defence that has conceded eight goals in their last three matches is an urgent priority. Mito beat Kashima 4-2 in the Ibaraki derby and are unbeaten in four. Arata Watanabe struck four times in that victory and could again be key.

Chiba host Gamba Osaka after losing to Okayama to make it five defeats from five. Kazuki Tanaka, who has scored in back-to-back matches, has been a rare bright spot. Can he provide the spark they need? Gamba drew with Nagasaki and are winless in four. Having scored twice late to rescue a point, they will look to carry that momentum into this match and claim their first win since the opening match.

Cerezo Osaka host Tokyo V after beating league leaders Kashiwa 2-0. Solomon Sakuragawa scored both goals; can he deliver again at home? Tokyo V lost to Kobe and remain winless this season. Having failed to score in their last three matches, they need a response from their attack.

FC Tokyo host Kyoto after a 1-1 draw with Shimizu denied them a third straight win. Soma Anzai remains in good form and is likely to play an important role again. Kyoto drew 1-1 with Yokohama FM. Can Ryuma Nakano, who has scored twice in his last three matches, deliver again?

■Check Out the Key Battles in Each Match
Fukuoka vs Mito
Kashima vs Urawa
Chiba vs Gamba Osaka
Nagoya vs Machida
Okayama vs Hiroshima
Kashiwa vs Yokohama F. Marinos
Kawasaki F vs Shimizu
Cerezo Osaka vs Tokyo Verdy
Kobe vs Nagasaki
FC Tokyo vs Kyoto