Unbeaten Leaders Kagoshima Chase Fifth Straight Win at Kitakyushu; In-Form Yamaguchi Host Sagamihara [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J3 Matchweek 8]

All 10 Matchweek 8 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE will be played on 26 September.

Unbeaten leaders Kagoshima travel to Kitakyushu looking to make it five wins in a row. They beat Tochigi SC last time out for their fourth straight victory, with Ryo Arita contributing a goal and two assists. Kitakyushu, meanwhile, finally got their first win of the season by beating Sagamihara. Seung Jin Koh has scored in each of their last two matches and could again pose a threat.

Second-placed Ehime travel to Ryukyu after edging Sanuki 2-1. Shota Tamura leads the scoring charts with six goals and remains their main attacking threat. Ryukyu saw their two-match winning run ended by Shiga, conceding a season-high three goals in the process. A more solid defensive display will be needed here.

Third-placed FC Osaka travel to Kochi after beating Fukushima to make it two wins in a row and preserve their unbeaten start. Sho Sumida has found the net in back-to-back matches and will be looking to score again. Kochi, by contrast, are winless in four after losing to Gunma. They have scored just once during that run and need to find more cutting edge in attack.

Kanazawa host Tottori after losing to Yamaguchi and are now winless in two. A late goal cost them last time out, so closing games out more effectively will be important. Tottori were edged by Nara and missed the chance to make it back-to-back wins. They have continued to find the net, but their defensive organisation remains an area for improvement.

Yamaguchi host Sagamihara after beating Kanazawa to make it three wins in a row. Kosuke Fujioka opened his account for the season with the winner and will be hoping to build on that goal. Sagamihara lost 2-1 to Kitakyushu and will hope new signing Masato Handai, who arrived from Kumamoto, can give them a lift.

Nara host Shiga after beating Tottori for their second straight win. Rikuto Ando scored twice in that victory and will again be one to watch. Shiga cruised past Ryukyu 3-0, with Shuto Tatsuta scoring for the third consecutive match after coming off the bench. His impact from the bench could again prove important.

Fukushima host Nagano after losing to FC Osaka for their second straight defeat. They conceded four goals for the second time this season, underlining the need for greater defensive stability. Nagano beat Gifu to claim their first win in four matches, with Kyoji Kutsuna striking the winner. He will be hoping to build on that decisive contribution.

Tochigi SC host Matsumoto after losing to Kagoshima and are now winless in two. Conceding early disrupted their rhythm last time out, so a stronger start will be important. Matsumoto drew with Kumamoto and remain without a win this season. They registered 15 shots but failed to score, highlighting the need for greater quality in front of goal.

Gunma host Kumamoto after beating Kochi to end a two-match losing run and give new manager Mitsumasa Yoda a winning start. Ryo Nakamura scored the winner and will be looking to build on that goal. Kumamoto drew with Matsumoto and are unbeaten in four, but they have already failed to score in four matches this season. Finding a more consistent attacking threat remains a priority.

Sanuki host Gifu after losing to Ehime for their fifth straight defeat. Kosei Makiyama pulled one back late on, and the bottom side will hope that goal can provide a spark. Gifu were edged by Nagano for their third consecutive defeat. New signing Hiroto Asada, who joined from Yokohama F. Marinos this week, could offer them a much-needed boost.