Leaders Sendai Face Yamagata Seeking Fourth Straight Win; Niigata Visit Shonan [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J2 Matchweek 10]

Ten Matchweek 10 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE will be played on 10 and 11 October.
 
Leaders Sendai travel to Yamagata after beating Iwata for a third straight win and extending their unbeaten run to eight matches. Ryunosuke Sagara came off the bench to score the late winner and could again provide the decisive moment. Yamagata lost to Oita after conceding in stoppage time, bringing their winning run to an end. Seeing games through more effectively will be key.
 
Second-placed Niigata, one point behind Sendai, visit Shonan after beating Tokushima 2-1. Matheus Moraes scored both goals in that comeback victory and remains one of their main attacking threats. Shonan drew with Fujieda to extend their unbeaten run to four matches, with Yuta Fukazawa scoring a dramatic equaliser for his first goal since joining the club.
 
Third-placed Toyama host Miyazaki after beating Kofu to make it five matches unbeaten. Yuto Kunitake came off the bench to score the winner and could again make an impact. Miyazaki drew with Omiya, bringing their three-match winning run to an end. Koji Okumura has scored in four consecutive matches and remains central to their attack.
 
Omiya welcome Hachinohe after a draw with Miyazaki preserved their unbeaten start to the season. Kaua Diniz came off the bench to score the equaliser and will be hoping to turn another strong substitute appearance into a match-winning contribution. Hachinohe lost to Yokohama FC and missed the chance to record consecutive wins for the first time this season. Having failed to score for the sixth time this campaign, they need more cutting edge in attack.
 
Yokohama FC host Oita after a 2-0 win over Hachinohe. New signing Kanta Chiba has scored in two consecutive matches and will be aiming to make it three in a row. Oita beat Yamagata to claim their first win in six matches, with substitute Daigo Furukawa scoring the late winner.
 
Tokushima welcome Imabari after defeat to Niigata denied them a third straight victory. Ken Iwao scored his first goal of the season and will hope it can help spark another positive run. Imabari beat Tochigi SC to claim their second win of the campaign, with the in-form Edigar Junio now aiming to score in a third consecutive match.
 
Tosu host Fujieda after a fourth straight defeat, this time against Akita. They have scored just once during that run and urgently need more from their attack. Fujieda drew with Shonan and are winless in five matches. Having conceded a number of late goals, managing the closing stages more effectively will be a key focus.
 
Kofu welcome Tochigi SC after defeat to Toyama sent them to the bottom of the table on the back of four straight losses. With results proving hard to come by, manager Hiroki Shibuya faces the challenge of getting his side back on track. Tochigi SC have also lost three in a row after defeat to Imabari and need to tighten up defensively after conceding multiple goals in recent matches.
 
Iwata host Sapporo after defeat to Sendai extended their losing run to three matches. Having conceded early in recent games, a stronger start will be important. Sapporo beat Iwaki to claim their first victory since the opening match and will now try to build on that result against a side they have lost to in each of their last three meetings.
 
Iwaki welcome Akita after a second straight defeat, this time against Sapporo. Ryota Nagaki scored a late consolation goal and will hope it can help spark a turnaround. Akita edged Tosu to extend their unbeaten run to five matches, with set pieces once again proving decisive.

■Check Out the Key Battles in Each Match
Omiya Ardija vs. Vanraure Hachinohe
Yokohama FC vs Oita
Tokushima vs Imabari
Tosu vs Fujieda
Kofu vs Tochigi SC
Iwata vs Sapporo
Yamagata vs Sendai
Toyama vs Miyazaki
Iwaki vs Akita
Shonan vs Niigata