Leaders Kobe Face Second-Placed Kashiwa; Soma Begins Tokyo V Reign Against Hiroshima [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J1 Matchweek 9]

The MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE returns after the international break, with all 10 Matchweek 9 fixtures to be played from 9 to 11 October.
 
The standout fixture pits second-placed Kashiwa against leaders Kobe. Kashiwa climbed back to second with a 4-2 win over Machida, their second victory in a row. Yusuke Segawa has scored twice in each of his last two matches and could again make an impact off the bench. Kobe, meanwhile, beat Gamba Osaka to extend their winning run to five matches. New signing Erik struck the late winner and will be hoping to make another decisive contribution.
 
Third-placed Hiroshima travel to Tokyo V after beating Fukuoka for a second straight win. Shuto Nakano and Hayato Araki return from international duty and could help maintain that momentum. Tokyo V remain without a win this season after losing to Urawa last time out. Naoki Soma takes charge for the first time following the departure of Hiroshi Jofuku, with the new manager tasked with turning their fortunes around.
 
Kashima host Gamba Osaka after a draw with Kawasaki Frontale ended a run of three straight defeats, although they are still winless in four. Having conceded a late equaliser in that match, seeing games through will be an area they will want to improve. Gamba arrive on a three-match losing run and have gone seven without a win. They have also failed to score in their last three outings, making a sharper attacking display essential.
 
Cerezo Osaka welcome Yokohama F. Marinos after a draw with Nagasaki extended their winless run to three matches. They can take confidence from an excellent home record in this fixture, having gone unbeaten in their last 12 meetings in Osaka with eight wins and four draws. Yokohama FM, meanwhile, beat Mito to make it four matches unbeaten. Kaina Tanimura, fresh from making his international debut, will be one to watch.
 
FC Tokyo host Urawa after beating Nagoya for a third consecutive victory. They sit fifth and are unbeaten in seven, with three straight clean sheets underlining their defensive strength. Urawa defeated Tokyo V 3-1 last time out, with Matheus Savio scoring twice, and the Brazilian will again be central to their attacking threat.
 
Fukuoka welcome Okayama after defeat to Hiroshima stretched their winless run to six matches. Takumi Kamijima and Tomoya Miki are both suspended following their dismissals in that game, placing added responsibility on those who come into the side. Okayama saw their three-match winning streak ended by Kyoto, although Sangho Na opened his account for the club and will be hoping to build on that goal.
 
Kyoto host Machida after beating Okayama to claim their first win in four matches. Alex Souza came off the bench to score the winner and could again provide a spark. Machida suffered their first defeat of the season against Kashiwa and will be looking to respond immediately, with Yuki Soma back from international duty.
 
Chiba welcome Nagasaki after defeat to Shimizu left them winless in two matches. They surrendered a lead in that game, so managing matches more effectively when ahead will be important. Nagasaki drew with Cerezo Osaka, bringing their winning run to an end. Matheus Jesus scored three goals in four matches in September and remains a major threat.
 
Mito and Shimizu meet with just one place separating them in the table. Mito have lost two in a row after defeat to Yokohama FM and now face a side they have never beaten in J2, with four draws and two defeats from their previous meetings. Shimizu edged Chiba to make it back-to-back wins. Se Hun Oh scored the winner in that match before also finding the net for Korea Republic and will aim to carry that form into this fixture.
 
Kawasaki Frontale host Nagoya Grampus after extending their unbeaten run to three matches with a draw against Kashima. Marcinho has scored in three consecutive games and will be looking to continue that run. Nagoya, meanwhile, have lost four in a row and scored just once during that spell. Yuya Yamagishi is still searching for his first goal of the season and will hope to provide the spark they need.

■Check Out the Key Battles in Each Match
Kashima Antlers vs Gamba Osaka
Kashiwa Reysol vs Vissel Kobe
Cerezo Osaka vs Yokohama F. Marinos
FC Tokyo vs Urawa Reds
Avispa Fukuoka vs Fagiano Okayama
Kyoto Sanga FC vs Machida Zelvia
JEF United Chiba vs V-Varen Nagasaki
Mito HollyHock vs Shimizu S-Pulse
Tokyo Verdy vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Kawasaki Frontale vs Nagoya Grampus