Kagoshima Reclaim Top Spot Ahead of Kochi Clash; Ehime and Yamaguchi Meet Level on Points [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J3 Matchweek 12]

All 10 Matchweek 12 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE will be played on 21 October.

Kagoshima return home to face bottom-placed Kochi after reclaiming top spot with a victory over Ehime in their meeting between the top two sides. Aura Takahashi starred with an impressive hat-trick and will be looking to maintain that form. Kochi, meanwhile, have slipped to the bottom after five consecutive defeats, most recently against Yamaguchi. They will be hoping Atsuhide Kawata can open his account for the season and help end their difficult run.

Second-placed Ehime host third-placed Yamaguchi, with both sides level on 23 points. Ehime lost top spot after conceding a season-high four goals against Kagoshima and need to tighten up defensively. Yamaguchi arrive on the back of three straight wins after beating Kochi, having kept a clean sheet in each match. Their defence faces a stern test against the league's highest-scoring side.

Nara travel to FC Osaka chasing a seventh consecutive victory after edging Kanazawa 1-0. Substitute Ryosuke Tamura scored the winner, and his role could again prove important. FC Osaka are winless in three after defeat to Kitakyushu, although Sho Sumida has scored in two successive matches and will be hoping to continue that run.

Fukushima host Kitakyushu after a defeat to Gifu extended their winless run to three matches. They failed to score for the first time this season and will be looking for a response in attack. Kitakyushu beat FC Osaka 3-1, with Masaki Nishimura scoring his first goal since joining the club. He will be hoping to build on that performance.

Tochigi SC welcome Shiga after losing to Ryukyu, extending their winless run to six matches. They have also failed to score in their last three games. Shiga suffered defeat to Sagamihara and are now without a win in four. They will need to be more disciplined in the closing stages after leaving openings for their opponents.

Nagano host Ryukyu with renewed confidence after winning the derby against Matsumoto. Takashi Kondo struck the winner and will again be one to watch. Ryukyu ended a four-match winless run by beating Tochigi SC, with Toshikazu Terauchi rewarding his selection in the starting line-up by scoring the decisive goal.

Matsumoto welcome Gunma after losing the Shinshu Derby against Nagano, missing the chance to record back-to-back wins. Ryo Sato scored his first goal and will be looking to make another contribution. Gunma also missed the chance to win two in a row after drawing with Tottori. Having taken the lead but failed to hold on, they will need to manage such situations more effectively.

Sixth-placed Gifu host fifth-placed Sagamihara after beating Fukushima to make it two wins in a row. They have kept clean sheets in both matches and will be aiming for a third straight victory. Sagamihara have won three consecutive matches after a comfortable victory over Shiga, with substitute Masato Handai making a positive impact. He could again have an important role to play.

Sanuki host Kanazawa after a defeat to Kumamoto extended their winless run to 10 matches. Having conceded three goals in each of their last two games, improving defensively is a priority. Kanazawa suffered their first defeat in four matches against Nara. They had more shots than their opponents but lacked a finishing touch and will need to be more clinical.

Kumamoto welcome Tottori after beating Sanuki to claim their first victory in three matches. Jeongmin Bae scored his first goal of the season and will be hoping to add to his tally. Tottori are winless in two after drawing with Gunma, although in-form Sota Yamamoto continues to provide an attacking threat.