Leaders Hiroshima Chase Fifth Straight Win at Nagasaki; FC Tokyo Face Kashiwa in Top-Five Clash [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J1 Matchweek 11]

All 10 Matchweek 11 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE will be played on 21 October.

League leaders Hiroshima travel to Nagasaki looking for a fifth straight win after beating Kyoto last time out. Their defence has kept three consecutive clean sheets, while Akito Suzuki has scored in each of his last two matches. Nagasaki, meanwhile, are winless in three following defeat to Kashima. Having conceded twice early in that match, they will be hoping for a stronger start.

Second-placed Machida, level on points with Hiroshima, visit Shimizu after a comfortable win over Fukuoka made it back-to-back victories. Henry Heroki Mochizuki has scored in two consecutive matches in all competitions and will be looking to maintain that form. Shimizu saw their three-match winning run end with a draw against Gamba Osaka after letting a two-goal lead slip. Seeing games through more effectively when ahead will be a priority.

Third-placed FC Tokyo host fifth-placed Kashiwa on the back of five consecutive wins, most recently beating Tokyo Verdy in the derby. They have kept five straight clean sheets and scored seven goals in their last two matches, with in-form Motoki Nagakura among their main attacking threats. Kashiwa suffered defeat to Nagoya, ending their three-match winning streak. Having conceded at least twice in each of their last six matches, they need to tighten up defensively.

Kawasaki Frontale welcome Kobe after beating Cerezo Osaka 4-2. Yasuto Wakizaka has scored in two successive matches and will be looking to extend that run. Kobe arrive following a 3-0 win over Okayama, with Yuya Osako having scored twice in that victory.

Yokohama F. Marinos face Tokyo Verdy at MUFG Stadium. A draw against Chiba extended Yokohama FM's unbeaten run to six matches, but they have struggled to turn draws into wins and have failed to score in their last two outings. Tokyo V remain winless this season, having suffered their third straight defeat in the derby against FC Tokyo. With goals also proving hard to come by and Itsuki Someno suspended following his sending-off in the derby, whoever replaces him will need to make an impact.

Nagoya host Cerezo Osaka after beating then-leaders Kashiwa to make it two wins in a row. Yuya Yamagishi has scored in both matches and will again be an important attacking option. Cerezo are now winless in five after losing to Kawasaki Frontale. Shinji Kagawa, who has yet to score this season, will be hoping to help turn their fortunes around.

Kyoto face Kashima at home having suffered back-to-back defeats, most recently against Hiroshima. They have failed to score in either match and need a response from their attack. Kashima, by contrast, have won two in a row after beating Nagasaki. Leo Ceara has already scored 12 goals this season and remains a major threat.

Okayama host Mito following three consecutive defeats, the latest against Kobe. Improving their second-half performances will be important after they were exposed defensively following the interval. Mito are also struggling, having lost four straight matches and scored just once during that run. They will need to find more cutting edge in attack.

Seventeenth-placed Fukuoka face Gamba Osaka, who sit one place below them. Fukuoka lost 3-0 to Machida and managed just six shots without scoring, leaving plenty of room for improvement going forward. Gamba ended a four-match losing run with a draw against Shimizu but remain winless in nine. Issam Jebali rescued a point with a late equaliser and will be hoping to help his side go one better this time.

Urawa welcome Chiba after a 1-0 win over Mito, secured by a late winner from 20-year-old substitute Shuta Sasa. Chiba played out a second consecutive draw against Yokohama FM and continue to struggle in attack. Eighteen-year-old Makoto Himeno could provide the spark they need.