Leaders Kagoshima Host Tochigi SC; Yamaguchi Target Third Straight Win at Kanazawa [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J3 Matchweek 7]

All 10 Matchweek 7 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE will be played from 18 to 20 September.

Leaders Kagoshima host Tochigi SC after beating Shiga last time out to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Expectations will again be high for in-form forward Keito Kawamura. Tochigi SC drew with Nagano and missed the chance to make it two wins in a row. Can Yoshihito Kondo, who scored the equaliser, deliver against his former club?

Second-placed Ehime host Sanuki after losing to FC Osaka to suffer their first defeat of the season. They will be looking to bounce back, with Shota Hino aiming to end a three-match run without a goal. Sanuki lost to Ryukyu for their fourth straight defeat. Having failed to score in their last two matches, they will need more from their attack.

Third-placed Sagamihara host Kitakyushu after beating Matsumoto 3-1 last time out. Can Sora Okita, who scored a hat-trick in that victory, shine again? Kitakyushu lost to Tottori and remain winless this season. Having conceded 11 goals in their last three matches, tightening up their defence is an urgent priority.

FC Osaka host Fukushima after beating then-leaders Ehime to maintain their unbeaten start. Can Kohei Isa build on his first goal since joining the club? Fukushima lost to Kumamoto and missed the chance to make it two wins in a row. Yuki Okada remains in fine form at the top of the scoring charts, but having conceded multiple goals in recent matches, they will need to tighten up defensively.

Kumamoto host Matsumoto after beating Fukushima to extend their unbeaten run to three matches. Can new signing Ryotaro Ishida, who has joined from Akita, give them another lift? Matsumoto lost to Sagamihara and are still searching for their first win. With results proving hard to come by, young players such as Aren Inoue and Sora Tanaka will be looking to inject energy into the side.

Bottom side Gunma host Kochi after losing to Yamaguchi for their second straight defeat. Masaru Okita was dismissed as head coach ahead of this matchweek, with Mitsumasa Yoda taking charge. How will the new manager turn things around? Kochi drew with Kanazawa and are now winless in three. Having scored just three goals so far, they will need more from their attack.

Tottori host Nara after beating Kitakyushu 4-2 last time out. Shinya Yajima contributed a goal and two assists in that victory and could again be key to their attack. Nara beat Gifu to extend their unbeaten run to four matches. Sora Mochizuki came off the bench to score the winner, and how he is used could again prove important.

Kanazawa host Yamaguchi after drawing with Kochi and missing the chance to make it two wins in a row. Having conceded early and struggled to find their rhythm, making a stronger start will be important. Yamaguchi beat Gunma to make it two straight wins. Can Sota Watanabe, who has scored in each of his last two matches, deliver again?

Nagano host Gifu after drawing with Tochigi SC and are now winless in three. Having repeatedly taken the lead only to be pegged back, their game management when ahead will be key. Gifu lost to Nara for their second straight defeat. Kentaro Kai, who was sent off in that match, is suspended, so whoever comes into the side will need to step up.

Shiga host Ryukyu after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Kagoshima. Can Shuto Tatsuta, who has scored in each of his last two matches, help them regain momentum? Ryukyu beat Sanuki to make it two wins in a row. Kazuki Sota struck the winner in that victory and will again be one to watch.