Sendai Host Improving Imabari After Winning Run Ends; Omiya Face Toyama in Top-Four Clash [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J2 Matchweek 12]

All 10 Matchweek 12 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE will be played on 21 October.

Leaders Sendai host Imabari after their four-match winning run ended with a goalless draw against Tokushima. They remain unbeaten in 10 matches but will be looking for a stronger attacking performance. Imabari missed the chance to make it three wins in a row after drawing with Hachinohe, although Edigar Junio impressed with a hat-trick and will again be one to watch.

Second-placed Omiya welcome fourth-placed Toyama after suffering their first defeat of the season against Tosu. They struggled to play through the opposition's press and will need to find a way to overcome that problem. Toyama extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a draw against Shonan but have surrendered leads in each of their last two outings. Both sides will have areas to address in this important meeting near the top of the table.

Third-placed Niigata host Tosu after a 5-1 defeat to Oita ended their five-match unbeaten run. Tightening up defensively will be their immediate priority. Tosu, meanwhile, beat Omiya to claim back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Koki Sakamoto opened his account for the campaign and will be hoping to build on that performance.

Yamagata welcome Sapporo having gone three matches without a win following a draw with Fujieda. Their defence has remained solid, but goals have been hard to come by. Shoma Doi has yet to score this season and will be looking to break his duck. Sapporo arrive after a 1-0 win over Akita, with match-winner Ryota Aoki again expected to play an important role.

Tochigi City host Fujieda after a late equaliser against Yokohama FC ended their four-match losing streak. They remain winless in six, however, and will be hoping that late goal can provide a lift. Fujieda are without a win in seven after drawing with Yamagata. Despite registering 21 shots, they failed to score and will need to be more clinical in front of goal.

Shonan welcome Iwaki after extending their unbeaten run to six matches with a draw against Toyama, their third in succession. Having repeatedly fallen behind in recent matches, they will be looking to take the initiative by scoring first. Iwaki arrive in good form after a 5-0 win over Kofu made it two consecutive victories. They will be aiming for a third straight win for the first time this season.

Bottom-placed Kofu host Yokohama FC following a heavy defeat to Iwaki. They have now conceded five goals in a match twice this season and need a significant defensive improvement. Yokohama FC are winless in two after drawing with Tochigi City and will be without the suspended Kaili Shimbo, one of their main attacking threats. His absence leaves another player with an opportunity to step up.

Iwata host Oita after drawing with Miyazaki, missing the chance to make it back-to-back wins. Takashi Inui is still searching for his first goal since joining the club. Oita, meanwhile, have won three consecutive matches after beating Niigata, with Hiroshi Kiyotake showing signs of returning to form.

Tokushima host Hachinohe after a draw against leaders Sendai ended their two-match losing run. Goals remain a concern, and Lucas Barcelos, who has scored just once this season, will be looking to add to his tally. Hachinohe also ended a two-match losing streak with a draw against Imabari, but having conceded three goals in each of their last two games, their defence needs attention.

Miyazaki welcome Akita after drawing with Iwata to make it three successive draws. They have struggled to turn competitive performances into victories and will be hoping Keigo Hashimoto can make the difference in attack. Akita have suffered back-to-back defeats following their loss to Sapporo and are also searching for goals, having failed to score in either match.