Nagoya Grampus vs Yokohama F. Marinos

Toyota Stadium forms the backdrop for a J1 League top-table six-pointer between Nagoya Grampus and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Nagoya Grampus’ title chase got back on the rails following a dismal 2-0 defeat away to Tokyo as a 2-0 home triumph over Kawasaki Frontale last time out kept them within a four-point distance of top-placed Yokohama. That loss in the Japanese capital could be just a one-off, considering Kenta Hasegawa’s high-flyers have racked up five victories across their last six league outings, netting 2+ goals on each occasion. Toyota Stadium has been a fortress this season, with Nagoya coming into this matchday as one of only two J1 League sides yet to lose a home league game (W6, D4), a run featuring five consecutive wins by an aggregate score of 10-3.

In the meantime, visiting Yokohama dismantled basement boys Shonan Bellmare 4-1 at home last time out, making it six league victories in a row since a 2-1 defeat at Albirex Niigata in mid-May. Notably, five of those six wins saw the ‘Marinos’ score at least two goals at an average of 2.8 per game. But the visitors have blown hot and cold away from home, losing twice on their last five travels in all competitions (W3). Since two of their three triumphs in that sequence yielded a clean sheet, scoring first could make the difference in this contest. Delivering action from the get-go, Kevin Muscat’s men have bagged ten first-half goals on their ten J1 League travels this term, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start.