Unbeaten FC Tokyo Travel to Okayama; Mito Seek to End Losing Streak Under New Manager [Preview: MEIJI YASUDA J1 Matchweek 13]

The 10 Matchweek 13 fixtures in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE will be played on 31 October and 1 November.

League leaders Machida host Gamba Osaka after a draw with Kobe brought their three-match winning streak to an end. They have now kept four consecutive clean sheets and remain defensively solid. With just two days between their ACL Two fixture and this match, squad depth could prove crucial. Gamba Osaka drew with Kyoto to extend their unbeaten run to three matches. Takashi Usami has scored in each of their last two games and will be looking to make another decisive contribution.

Second-placed FC Tokyo travel to Okayama after cruising to victory over Mito last time out. They are unbeaten in 11 league matches and have kept seven consecutive clean sheets. Teruhito Nakagawa scored twice against Mito and will be a key figure in attack once again. Okayama lost to Kawasaki Frontale, missing the chance to record back-to-back wins. Having conceded early in that match, they will be determined to make a stronger start.

Third-placed Hiroshima visit Mito following an emphatic 4-0 win over Shimizu. Takuma Asano scored his first goal since returning to the club and will be hoping to build on that performance. Mito suffered their sixth straight defeat against FC Tokyo, prompting the dismissal of manager Daisuke Kimori. His successor, Naoki Mori, lost his first match in charge to Cerezo Osaka in Wednesday's Levain Cup tie. Turning their fortunes around will depend in large part on improving a defence that conceded six goals last weekend.

Kyoto welcome Shimizu after a draw with Gamba Osaka extended their winless run to four matches. Haruki Arai has scored three goals in his last two appearances and will be looking to help Kyoto return to winning ways. Shimizu suffered a heavy defeat against Hiroshima, their second loss in a row. Having conceded nine goals and failed to score in those two matches, they need improvements at both ends of the pitch.

Kashima host Cerezo Osaka after losing to Kashiwa, their first defeat in five matches. Although they continue to find the net, conceding multiple goals in successive games has become a concern. Cerezo drew with Chiba and are now winless in seven matches. Having fought back with two late goals to salvage a point, they will hope to carry that momentum into this fixture and claim their first win in eight.

Kobe welcome Nagoya after drawing with Machida, leaving them without a win in two matches. They are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Nagoya, with three wins and four draws, and will be keen to maintain their challenge near the top of the table. Nagoya drew with Yokohama FM to extend their unbeaten run to four matches, although they have not won either of their last two. Yuya Yamagishi has scored three goals in four matches and will be looking to turn his good form into another victory.

Kashiwa host Urawa after edging Kashima to claim their first win in three matches. Hinata Yamauchi scored twice in that victory and will again be one to watch. Urawa beat Nagasaki to record their second three-match winning streak of the season. Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa is set for a significant milestone: an appearance would take him level with Yasuhito Endo's J1 record of 672 matches. Since making his debut in 2005, Nishikawa has played for Oita, Hiroshima and Urawa. He will be hoping to mark the occasion with a victory.

Yokohama F. Marinos host Kawasaki Frontale after drawing with Nagoya for their fourth consecutive league draw. They have surrendered leads in each of their last two matches and will need to manage those situations more effectively. Kawasaki edged Okayama to secure their first three-match winning streak of the season. Marcinho has scored in both of their last two games and will once again be a key attacking threat.

Nagasaki welcome Tokyo Verdy after losing to Urawa and missing the chance to record consecutive wins. They managed just six shots without scoring and will be looking for a stronger attacking display. Tokyo Verdy finally claimed their first league victory of the season against Fukuoka. Issei Kumatoriya made the most of his place in the starting line-up and will be hoping to impress again.

Bottom two Chiba and Fukuoka meet in a crucial encounter. Chiba drew with Cerezo Osaka and are now winless in six matches. Having conceded twice in stoppage time to let victory slip away, they will need to see out games more effectively. Fukuoka suffered their third consecutive defeat against Tokyo Verdy. With eight goals conceded in their last three matches, tightening up defensively will be a priority.