Leaders Kagoshima Travel to Matsumoto; In-Form Nara Target Fifth Straight Win Against Kitakyushu [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J3 Matchweek 10]

Ten Matchweek 10 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE will be played from 9 to 11 October.
 
Leaders Kagoshima travel to Matsumoto after edging Fukushima in a five-goal thriller to preserve their unbeaten start to the season. Ryo Arita scored twice in that victory and will again be a major threat. Matsumoto lost to Tottori and remain on just one win this season. With goals proving hard to come by, Sora Tanaka will be among those expected to provide more cutting edge.
 
Second-placed Ehime visit Kumamoto after a convincing win over Gunma extended their unbeaten run to three matches. Shota Hino and Shota Tamura were both on target and will again be key figures in attack. Kumamoto drew with Shiga to make it six matches unbeaten and have now kept three consecutive clean sheets. That defensive solidity will give them a strong platform as they chase their first home win of the season.
 
Third-placed Yamaguchi travel to Tochigi SC after beating Gifu to extend their unbeaten run to six matches. Sota Watanabe has produced three goals and an assist in his last five appearances and remains one of their main attacking threats. Tochigi SC drew with Sanuki and are winless in four. After being held scoreless for the second time this season, they will need more from their attack.
 
Sagamihara host Sanuki after a late win over FC Osaka brought them their first victory in three matches. Masato Handai scored the winner, his first goal since joining the club, and will hope that breakthrough can lead to more. Sanuki ended a six-match losing run with a draw against Tochigi SC but remain without a win since the opening match. No. 10 Yusuke Goto will be looking to help turn draws into victories.
 
FC Osaka welcome Kanazawa after suffering their first defeat of the season against Sagamihara. They registered 17 shots without scoring, highlighting the need for greater composure in front of goal. Kanazawa arrive on the back of consecutive wins after beating Ryukyu, with Keita Buwanika finding the net in both matches.
 
Gunma host Ryukyu after a second straight defeat, this time against Ehime. Taika Nakashima opened his account for the season and will be hoping to build on that breakthrough. Ryukyu are winless in three after losing to Kanazawa. They enjoyed plenty of possession in that match but lacked a finishing touch and will need to turn more of that control into clear chances.
 
Nara host Kitakyushu looking to make it five wins in a row after beating Nagano last time out. Sora Mochizuki has continued to make an impact from the bench and could again provide a spark. Kitakyushu defeated Kochi to extend their unbeaten run to three matches, with Shosaku Yasumitsu having scored in each of those games.
 
Kochi welcome Nagano after a third consecutive defeat left them winless in six matches and bottom of the table. With just three goals from 10 matches, improving their attacking output is an obvious priority. Nagano have also lost two in a row after defeat to Nara. Kotaro Fujikawa has gone five matches without scoring and will be eager to get back on the scoresheet.
 
Fukushima host Shiga after defeat to Kagoshima brought their winning run to an end. Yuki Okada remains in excellent form and leads the scoring charts with nine goals, but Fukushima will also need to tighten up defensively after conceding multiple goals in recent matches. Shiga drew with Kumamoto and are winless in two. No. 10 Takuya Hitomi is still searching for his first goal of the season.
 
Tottori and Gifu meet with both sides on 13 points, sitting 11th and eighth respectively. Tottori ended a two-match losing run by beating Matsumoto, with Naoto Miki scoring the winner for his first goal of the season. Gifu lost 2-0 to Yamaguchi after conceding twice early on, making a stronger start especially important this time.

■Check Out the Key Battles in Each Match
Sagamihara vs Sanuki
FC Osaka vs Kanazawa
Gunma vs Ryukyu
Nara vs Kitakyushu
Kochi vs Nagano
Fukushima vs Shiga
Matsumoto vs Kagoshima
Kumamoto vs Ehime
Tochigi SC vs Yamaguchi
Tottori vs Gifu