Intro
I will be doing predicted lineups for the Japanese J1 League for each GW. These lineups will be made from information I gather from:
Press conferences/interviews with the manager
Training information
Suspension lists
Lineups from last year if same manager
I will be updating the blog as and when I get information and giving a % for my confidence the player will start.
I know from general experience with monitoring lineups across all leagues on sorare, information can drop right up to the deadline (eg a positive corona case of a player a few hours before the deadline). So I will be in general updating the lineup prediction the day after the GW opens and then updating it again the day of the deadline.
I will also be providing betting odds where available, such as:
% chance of win
I am not expecting to be anywhere near perfect with these lineups and hope to improve as time goes on. The main aim is to illustrate where I see risk and what kind of opportunities there are each GW.
Best Scoring Players in GW 249
Eduardo - 95.1 points
Nishimura - 88.3 points
Saneto - 82.5 points
Wakizaka - 80.6 points
Sakai- 77.7 points
GW 250 Fixtures
Kyoto vs Iwata
Kyoto Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 43%
Most likely to play - Kawasaki,Mendes, Takeda, Utaka
Combos -Matsuda & Utaka
Main set Piece taker - Matsuda
Pens - Utaka
COVID Cases - 1 reported
Injuries -
Notes
Kyoto continued their excellent start to the season with a 1-1 draw against C.Osaka followed by a cup win vs Tosu. They remain unbeaten in all competitions this season with 2 wins and 2 draws.
I dont see many changes for this game compared to last weeks league lineup. Most of these cards are not on sorare (yet - looks like new cards are about to drop soon!) so the main player of interest is Kamifukumoto who looks v likely to continue in nets after another excellent performance last week.
Iwata predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 29.5%
Most likely to play - Miura, Ohi, Endo, Matsumoto, Sugimoto
Combos - Endo & Sugimoto
Main set Piece taker - Endo
Pens - Sugimoto
COVID Cases/Injury
Suspension- Gonzalez & Yamamoto
Notes
Iwata played relatively well last week vs Shimizu in the first half and were level on good merit. However the second half saw somewhat of a meltdown including 2 reds and ultimately losing the game.
I see outside these two suspension (one was a sub in anycase) a similar lineup this week. For sorare theres only a couple of cards of note. Sugimoto has struggled so far though see him starting again here.
Match Prediction
These teams will know each other well from their times in the J2 league last season. I can see this being a very even game expect an entertaining draw
Kyoto 1-1 Iwata
Fukuoka vs Sapporo
Fukuoka predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 28.3%
Most likely to play - Murakami, Grolli, Mae, Crouz, Yamagishi, Lukian
Combos - Grolli & Murakami
Main set Piece taker - Yamagishi
Pens - Lukian
COVID Cases - Nara is MIA and i suspect either an injury or covid
Injuries - Maejima
Notes
Tanaka played and scored in the cup. He was subbed off after 60 mins so I see him with a shot of playing this game (though i would only risk in more speculative teams on sorare) Nara was expected to be CB or at least fighting for that spot and was also not in the squad for the league cup defeat so I dont see him playing. Maejima went off injured last game and unlikely to play here.
Sapporo Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 44%
Most likely to play - Fukumori, Tanaka, Takamine, Komai, Ogashiway
Combos - Fukumori & Tanaka
Main set Piece taker - Fukumori/Xavier
Pens - Koroki/Xavier
COVID Cases - None reported
Notes
Sapporo rested their entire X11 from the league in the cup game which makes me think they will play the same team as least week. There are no injuries I am aware of .
Tucic played in the cup game and Suga played the full 90 so I expect both to be subs in this game however can see them challenging for the first X11 very soon.
Match Prediction
Sapporo look the favourites on paper and similar to last year have been playing some excellent attacking/flowing football without getting the win. I can see this game being another draw for them especially as Fukuoka looked very solid as a defensive unit.
Fukuoka 1-1 Sapporo
Nagoya vs Sagan Tosu
Nagoya Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 51%
Most likely to play - Langerak, Nakatani, Yoshida, Inagaki, Mateus
Combos - Langerak & Nakatani
Main set Piece taker - Mateus
Pens - Mateus
COVID Cases - None reported
Notes
Nagoyas last game was cancelled due to an outbreak in the Tokyo camp but they have played a couple of league cup games. They played a strong team in midweek and I took this as way to get match fitness/sharpness for the players as there was no need to rotate after missing a league game.
I didnt include Maruyama in the first GW lineups as I had read he was still on a different training programme. The below picture is from 27th February and he is now is doing general training. I understand they are being very careful with him as dont want him to have a relapse and be out for a significant time.
For Sorare - I am not using him till he is in the squad of a game. He wasnt in the squad for the league cup so cant see him being for this game.
Soma has recovered from a concussion and should start here.
Kakitani may well start here, its hard to know the managers preferred setup after just one game. I have been cautious and selected the same forwards as the first game. Kakitani also played the full 90 in the league cup (not a bad thing as that game as to build match fitness), reports suggest he and the team struggled from an attacking perspective.
Sagan Tosu Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 23%
Most likely to play - Park Gyu, Diego, Koizumi, Iwasaki,Hwang Seok
Combos - Park Gyu & Hwang seok ho
COVID/ Injuries Cases - Miyashiro, Nishikawa arse still MIA, assume its covid or an injury and not seen them in training pics. Kakita is assumed injured as he didnt play the league cup game and went off with an injury last week
Suspensions -
Notes
Ono came on as a sub is the league cup game so could be in the reckoning to play here. I personally dont risk these type of situations on sorare. The mystery with Miyashiro and Nishikawa continues so again I wouldnt play until seen in the squad/traning pics
Match Prediction
Nagoya impressed me in their game against Vissel Kobe and although they may not be fully match sharp & lacking a striker, I can see them running out comfortable winners here.
Nagoya 2-0 Tosu
Yokohama FM vs Shimizu S-Pulse
Yokohama F Marinos Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 62%
Most likely to play - Takaoka, Koike, Kida, Elber
Combos - Takaoka & Eduardo
Main set Piece taker - Nagato/ Eduardo
Pens - M. Junior/ Lopes
COVID Cases - None reported
Injuries - Watanabe (on different training schedule,doubt for this game), Kida and Cera injured in training - unknown how bad. M.Junior injured last game and not seen in training yet - doubt. Hatanaka - Injured just before red card, unknown how bad
Suspensions -
Notes
The Yokohama FM team is particularly hard to unpick. Below is some info on injured players:
Iwata and Hatanaka are returning from suspension, its important to note that the manager commented on Hatanaka actually asking to be replaced just before his red card. Its unknown what injury he had but he did go down holding his thigh. I am 50/50 about using him unless get training pics/info.
I expect Nagato to be back for this game. Elber started from the bench the previous game so I see him starting. I would normally have Cera back in the team but the info above suggests he may not be ready.
Eduardo should start however he has been playing alot of mins so is a rotation risk. The lack of alternative CBs (eg if hatanaka cant play) means he may have to be used in this game. Saneto also impressed in the last game so can see him being rewarded with another game. Rookie Yamane impressed in midfield. Watanabe/Kida could return if fit - again not known for Kida how bad the injury was. Iwata will v likely start and can play CB if needed to allow an alternative combo in CM positions depending on the fitness of players.
I am not confident with the lineup in certain areas (eg midfield/CBs) so personally am being wary and using the players I own in more speculative teams.
Shimizu predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 20%
Most likely to play - Gonda, Tatsuta, Suzuki
Combos - Gonda & Suzuki
Main set Piece taker -
Pens -
COVID Cases/Injury - Santos, Silvano and Matsuoka out for 3-5 weeks
Notes
Santos and Matsuoka are still out for approx 3-5weeks and will be a big miss for Shimizu but at least we got info from the club!
Suzuki impressed again with another great finish on the counter. He is rumoured to be attracting attention from European teams
Shimizu signed a new striker, however there is no details of when he will be arriving in Japan/expect to be able to play
Match Prediction
Yokohama FM have shown the have depth and quality thoughout their squad. I see there defeat last week to Kashiwa as more of an anomaly than the rule. With this also being a home game and Shimizu missing a few of their main players through injury, I can see a comfortable win for YFM.
There may well be rotation in the squad for this game and a lot of unknowns in terms of injury status so for sorare it tricky to identify the nailed on starters
Yokohama FM 3-1 Shimizu S-Pulse
Urawa Reds vs Shonan Bellmare
Urawa Reds Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 47%
Most likely to play - Nishikawa, Ito, Iwaao, Akimoto
Combos - Nishikawa and Iwananmi/Inukai
Main set Piece taker - Esaka/Iwao
Pens - Esaka/Iwao
COVID Cases - 3+ reported
Suspensions -
Notes
Urawa have had a dreadful start to the season picking up only 1 point in 4 games. They have played well in matches in each game and I am confident that results will soon mirror their performances - however this already feels like a must win match for them!
I expect there be some rotation in this game. Quite a few players have played alot of minutes (Esaka and Iwanami in particular). I can see Inukai coming in for this game though a coinflip who he replaces.
Iwao returns and Junker came on as a sub in the last game. I have put him in my predicted team though there is a risk they might not risk him yet and build up his match fitness
Shonan predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 26%
Most likely to play - Tani, Sugioka, Tanaka
Combos - Tani and Tanaka
Main set Piece taker -Barada, Yonemoto
Pens -
COVID Cases - none reported
Injuries - Hata out for 7 weeks
Suspension -
Notes
Yonemoto returned in the cup game and was taken off in the 69th minute so I can see him starting this game. Oiwa returns from suspension and should return to the Shonan defence. News came out yesterday that Hata was going to be out for 7 weeks with an injury to his knee.
Up front, I can see Machino starting after scoring last week
Match Prediction
This is a must win game for Urawa. I have watched most of their games and have been impressed a lot by their fluidity however they do tend to switch off at the wrong times in games. Iwao was meant to bring that maturity and his sending off was needless and surprising. I do think overall, him being and Junker also being in the squad make a huge difference to the team and expect them to finally click and win this one
Urawa Reds 2-0 Shonan Bellmare
Kashima Antlers vs Kashiwa Reysol
Kashima Antlers Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 62%
Most likely to play - Min -Tae, Pituca, Ueda, Suzuki
Combos - Araki & Ueda/Suzuki
Main set Piece taker - Araki/Higuchi
Pens - Suzuki
COVID Cases - None reported
Notes
Antlers were blown away in the first half by a resurgent Frontale team last week. Antlers were pressured from kick off and Sekigawa was guilty of gifting the visiting team a goal. Its uncertain how much the head injury effected his judgement. He was taken off at half time and though I see him as starting here, he is at risk of perhaps Misao playing instead.
In the league cup game, a number of regulars started (Pituca, Doi, Anzai) which may point to some rotation. However, with no ACL, I see the team being pretty similar to last week with Suzuki spearheading their attack.
Kashiwa predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 17.5%
Most likely to play - Seung- Gyu, Koga, Savio, Mitsumura,Douglas
Combos - Seung gyu + Koga
Main set Piece taker -
Pens - Douglas/Savio
COVID Cases/Injury - Nakamura went off injured last game. Onamani was in the original team last week but didnt play - suspected unreported injury
Notes
Kasiwa have made an excellent start to the season and were well deserved winners vs YFM last week. Savio, Douglas and Koga in particular have excelled so far.
I see a pretty similar setup/lineup to last week as it has brought them success so far.
Match Prediction
I feel like the betting odds are too harsh on Kashiwa for this one. They have played well and suprised alot of people (including myself!) Savio in particular is a player who stands out for his creativity and Douglas has been showing great form.
I do however think this game suits Antlers and they will have too much attacking talent for Kashiwa.
Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Kashiwa Reysol
Gamba Osaka vs Kawasaki Frontale
Gamba Osaka Predicted Lineup
You can see a preview of the game from a Gamba fan here
Odds
Win - 17.2%
Most likely to play - Ishikawa, Shoji, Kurata, Onose, Usami
Combos - Shoji + Ishikawa
Main set Piece taker - Usami
Pens - Usami
COVID Cases - none reported
Injuries - Higashiguchi and Fujiharu are both assumed injured, no details given yet
Suspension -
Notes
Patric returns from suspension and I see him straight back into the starting lineup.
Yamamoto played the full 90s mins in midweek so I cant see him starting here, even though I think he would be a big improvement to Se Jong.
Frontale Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 60%
Most likely to play - Taniguchi, Yamane, Sung Ryong, Yamamura
Combos - Damiao, Yamane/
Main set Piece taker - Wakizaka/Ienaga
Pens - Damiao/Ienaga
COVID Cases - Marcinho not in squad for the last game so his situation also no known.
Injuries - Jesiel (ACL, expected back May but TBC),Sasaki status unknown & Noborizato went off injured last game
Notes
I expect some rotation for this game for Frontale. They have played 4 games in 10 days and there will be players such as Ienaga who are at high risk of being given a rest. Noborizato was taken off with an injury and I assume he wont be able to play this game. I feel like this will be the perfect game to bring in Seko though I am personally not using his card on sorare.
I am not sure of the situation with Chinen as he wasnt in the squad last game so I can see Damiao starting if Chinen is not fit enough to play.
Match Prediction
I feel Frontale will have to much for Gamba and this will be a comfortable win for them even if they do need to rotate. The manager has shown in the last few games he is willing to make tactical changes if needed and knows how to get a victory even when the team isn't firing on all cylinders
Gamba Osaka 1 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale
C.Osaka vs FC Tokyo
Cerezo Osaka Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 41%
Most likely to play - Kim Jin Hyeon, Nishio, Harakawa, Okuno, Kiyotake,Combos - Harakawa & Mendes
Main set Piece taker - Harakawa & Kiyotake
Pens - Kiyotake
COVID Cases - None reported
Notes
Shindo was a surprise DNP last week and with him not being in the squad for the league cup, I cant see him starting here. Okuno played in the cup, but he is very versitile and can see him starting.
FC Tokyo Predicted Lineup
Most likely to play - Slowik, Ogawa, Abe, Adailton
Combos - Slowik & Morishige
Main set Piece taker - Leandro & Ogawa
Pens - Leandro
COVID Cases - Team had a cluster of covid cases and had to cancel all training. 20+ cases were reported
Notes
FC Tokyo had a major setback when 20+ cases in the team forced them to stop all training activities. For this game, its very hard to ascertain who is fit to play. I have put in those who played in the league cup which I saw as a training for them. I would be careful with selecting players who havent been seen training or in that squad (eg Leandro)
Match Prediction
In normal circumstances where FC Tokyo had a fit squad, I would see them as the favourites in this game. However with so many unknowns, especially player availability/fitness I fancy C.Osaka getting a narrow win.
C.Osaka 2 - 1 FC Tokyo
Hirsohima vs Kobe
Hiroshima Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 39%
Most likely to play - Hayashi, Sasaki, Araki, Nogami
Combos - Hayashi + Sasaski
COVID Cases - none reported
Injuries - Douglas Viera - suspected concussion
Suspension -
Notes
Hiroshima have been careful in bringing back Santos to the starting X11 - he got some forced minutes in the cup game after Viera went off and I can see him starting here. Outside this, I can see the team being similar to last week as most were rested for the cup game.
Vissel Kobe Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 33%
Most likely to play - Makino, Sakai, Maekawa
Combos - Yamaguchi + Sakai
Main set Piece taker - Iniesta 2) Hatsuse
Pens - Iniesta
COVID Cases - 1 case reported
Injury - Muto, Hatsuse (covid or unreported injury)
Notes
Vissel are another team who have played a number of games in quick succession without most of the results going their way. I feel that Iniesta and Samper will return for this game. Muto had a nasty looking injury so I see Osako and Lincoln to play up front.
Midfield could see more rotation, Yamaguchi has been disappointing but he is rarely left out if not injured.
I feel like a broken clock talking about Kikuchi. We know he is training but he has yet to be in any squad . I have him starting but am not that confident and as such, I am not using his card on Sorare at the moment
Match Prediction
Hiroshima are a very solid and robust team who may not be the most exciting to watch are very difficult to breakdown.
This Kobe team feels a little one dimensional with the team playing quite narrow. Mutos injury is a huge loss for them & I feel they need a fit and firing Iniesta to help calm the play down and create chances for them.
Can see this one ending in a close fought draw
Hiroshima 1-1 Vissel Kobe
Finish
I hope you found this useful!
Remember this is just a guide based on the info I have. I have tried to keep it neutral but of course there will be bias at play. As I have said previously, I want this to be helpful to you in managing risk rather than picking the right player where its a 50/50 flip.
If you spot anything glaringly wrong (eg an injury or suspended player), do let me know! I will be updating this all the way up to the deadline as we can get info very last minute
Let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions of other players :)
I am always more than happy to talk things J1 League & Sorare on twitter or Discord
Click below for the J League Sorare Discord channel:
I plan to keep this site and discord free as I enjoy seeing folk get passionate about the J league and all its delights! This does take me alot of time to produce and manage. I am considering whether to move parts to a paid section.
To keep me motivated and support me, you can donate anything you wish (click below) or send me something to my sorare account. Any kind words on Discord or twitter also does keep me wanting to produce more content too!
