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.
Player Injuries
I have made a new page on the site that has all known player injuries. I can be found here
GW 252 Fixtures
Sapporo vs Yokohama FM
Sapporo Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 29.1%
Most likely to play - Fukumori, Tanaka, Takamine, Komai, Sugeno,Kaneko
Combos - Fukumori & Tanaka
Main set Piece taker - Fukumori/Xavier
Pens - Koroki/Xavier
COVID Cases - None reported
Notes
Xavier was surprisingly missing last GW. News is that he is back in full training and he should be playing:
If he is missing, I expect a repeat of last weeks lineup with Suga coming in.
Yokohama F Marinos Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 44.5%
Most likely to play - Takaoka, Koike, Iwata, Nakagawa
Combos - Takaoka & Eduardo
Main set Piece taker - Nagato/ Eduardo
Pens - M. Junior/ Lopes
COVID Cases - None reported
Suspensions -
Notes
The Yokohama FM team is particularly hard to unpick. Below is some info on injured players/players returning form injury
Fujita is with u21 duty (need to check if hes back/fit to play as wasnt training with YFM). Leandro Cera is another training programme.
M.Junior and Watanabe are back on full training
Hatanaka and Kida are in partial training/different programme
This is what the manager has said in recent days:
I expect Eduardo to start here, he has no injury and I suspect was just rested last game. Hatanaka, I feel they are managing carefully as he was out for so long and any injury relapse would be v detrimental to YFM in this long season.
As we saw last game, players like Iwata and Koike are very flexible in which position they start. I do expect Watanabe to return with Iwata potentially starting in either defence or midfield. This game might be too soon for Kida.
With Cera likely out, I expect Lopes to start against his previous team. I have put M.Junior in however am not fully confident he starts so will only use in more speculative teams on sorare. Nishimura is another who has done well and can play in a number of positions including the attacking forward position
In general YFM are very difficult and frustrating to pick accurately. However, they do offer huge scoring potential. Players (forwards especially) are also able to do well when coming off the bench as YFM like to use counter/speed in the second half. This means even though it is annoying when I see players like Elber on the bench - I do know, they will likely have opportunities to score/assist when they come on. For me this makes them worth the risk in the long term more than players from teams that score less on sorare.
Match Prediction
I expect this to be a highly entertaining game, with two of best teams to watch play. I feel overall, YFM have the best finishers and strength in depth so will win this one relatively comfortably
Sapporo 1- 3 Yokohama FM
Jubilo Iwata vs Gamba Osaka
Iwata predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 40.5%
Most likely to play - Miura, Ohi, Endo, Matsumoto, Sugimoto
Combos - Endo & Sugimoto
Main set Piece taker - Endo
Pens - Sugimoto
COVID Cases/Injury
Suspension-
Notes
Iwata played well again last week, though again benefited to a dubious red card for Kyoto.
I expect a very similar team to last week with Yamamoto returning from suspension being the only change
Gamba Osaka Predicted Lineup
You can see a preview of the game from a Gamba fan here
Odds
Win - 30.5%
Most likely to play - Ishikawa, Shoji, Kurata, Onose, Patric, Yamamoto
Combos - Shoji + Ishikawa
Main set Piece taker - Yamamoto
Pens - Patric
COVID Cases - none reported
Injuries - Higashiguchi and Fujiharu are both assumed injured, no details given yet. Usami - out for 6 months +
Suspension -
Notes
Gamba had a very eventful game in the 2-2 draw with champions Frontale. Ishikawa had a howler in the dying minutes to see Gamba literally throw away the chance to win.
Another cruel blow was dealt with Usami going off early with an injury. The worse was confirmed this week and it looks like his season is over.
More positive news was Yamamoto starting (and scoring) in this game. I can see him, Saito and Yamani having v important roles to play this year
Match Prediction
This feels like an evenly matched game. I can see this ending in a low scoring draw although I see Gamba as slight favourites (unlike the bookies)
Iwata 1- 1 Gamba
Shimizu vs Cerezo Osaka
Shimizu predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 32.8%
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. Valdo (no info)
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!
I expect a similar lineup to last week. Injuries to a number of key players means that Shimizu are v restricted in what changes they can me.
Shimizu signed a new striker he should be in the country soon though no confirmation yes
Cerezo Osaka Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 48%
Most likely to play - Kim Jin Hyeon, , Harakawa, Okuno, Kiyotake
,Combos - Harakawa & Kato
Main set Piece taker - Harakawa & Kiyotake
Pens - Kiyotake
Injuries -Shindo (no details), Nishio - withdrawn from U21 team and not seen in training , Inui
COVID Cases - None reported
Notes
C.Osaka have some issues at CB with Shindo not being seen in training pictures and assumed injured. Nishio also withdrew from the u21 squad after picking up a knock last week. Jonijic joined up with the squad this week and seems to be training fine, though this game may well be too early for him. I noticed Funakai has played CB in the league cup so could play this role here.
Inui was confirmed injured and I havent seen Mendes in training pictures so assume he wont play here.
Match Prediction
Another evenly matched game. I feel C.Osaka, although lacking some players through injury will have too much for Shimizu and will win in a low scoring affair
Shimizu 1- 2 C.Osaka
FC Tokyo vs Hiroshima
FC Tokyo Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 40%
Most likely to play - Slowik, Ogawa, Morishige, Higashi, Konno, Matsuki
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.
Injuries - Abe - no info given, Leandro & Trevisan assumed out as not seen in training
Suspensions - Aoki
Notes
I expect FC Tokyo to lineup similar to last week with the exception of Abe (injury) and Aoki (suspension). Adailton was reported to have been taken off injured, but having watched the footage, it feels this inaccurate and both he and Oliveira looked fine. Of course, I may have missed something here!
Leandro is out for 6-8 weeks (confirmed today and Trevisan is suspected to be injured as I havent seen him in training pics.
Hiroshima Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 29%
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 relatively consist ant with their team lineups this season so far & , I can see the team being similar to last week.
Skibbe the new manager has now been able to watch the players in training and 1 game so he may consider giving some players a chance, however this is one to keep an eye on for future gameweeks as its just my speculation for now :)
Match Prediction
FC Tokyo have impressed me so far this season and that is with a number of players out. I have been impressed by the young midfield (Matsuki, Abe, Konno) in particular and Slowik has proven to be an excellent addition.
Hiroshima have also been very solid and it will be interesting to see how they change with the new manager now in the country. Overall I see this being a low scoring game with Tokyo winning.
FC Tokyo 1- 0 Hiroshima
Shonan vs Kyoto
Shonan predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 42%
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 came on at half time in the previous game and I see him starting here. Tariq was missing from the squad last game so I cant see him starting here. Wellington may potentially replace on the strikers s the manager tries to mix it up for a team that is struggling to score again this season.
Kyoto Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 27%
Most likely to play -Kaneko, Mendes, Utaka
Combos -Matsuda & Utaka
Main set Piece taker - Matsuda
Pens - Utaka
COVID Cases - 1 reported
Suspension - Kamifukumoto
Injuries -
Notes
Kamifukumoto is suspended for this game after a very harsh red card last week. Wood joined up with the team this week and could start here and its a flip between him and Wakahara as a lot will depend on Woods physical condition which is no known
I dont see many changes for this game compared, a major plus was the return of Kaneko last week and I can see him playing a key role fr the team.
Match Prediction
Shonan have continued the pattern we saw most of last season - playing decent football but really lacking a goal threat/killer instinct. Kyoto also had there own struggles upfront and although I do like him, I feel there are too reliant on Utaka, who at 38 is well past his prime.
I see another low scoring game with Shonan sneaking it.
Shonan 1- 0 Kyoto
Kashiwa vs Fukuoka
Kashiwa predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 43%
Most likely to play - Seung- Gyu, Koga, Mitsumura,Douglas
Combos - Seung gyu + Koga
Main set Piece taker -
Pens - Douglas/Savio
COVID Cases/Injury -
Notes
Hosoya withdrew from the u21 team earlier in the week with an injury. The manager has already come out and said hes fine so I expect him to start here. Nakamura returned from injury to make the bench last week and could be pushing for a start here.
Fukuoka predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 29%
Most likely to play - Murakami, Grolli, Mae, Crouz, Yamagishi, Lukian
Combos - Grolli & Murakami
Main set Piece taker - Yamagishi
Pens - Lukian
COVID Cases -
Injuries - Maejima,
Notes
Lots of people have been asking about Nara and his absence. Finally this morning we got an update and its good news! He has just returned to full training though I suspect this game will be too soon for him to make a return to the starting X11.
Maejima went off injured 2 games ago and unlikely to play here unless we get an update on him.
Match Prediction
Kashiwa have been playing well and I felt they could have easily nicked a point from Kashima last week. Fukuoka have been struggling upfront but I have felt they have been somewhat unlucky in games.
I think with home advantage, Kashiwa are the favourites in this game but can see this ending in stalemate.
Kashiwa 1- 1 Fukuoka
Kawasaki vs Nagoya
Frontale Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 51%
Most likely to play - Taniguchi, Yamane, Sung Ryong, Yamamura
Combos - Damiao, Yamane/
Main set Piece taker - Wakizaka/Ienaga
Pens - Damiao/Ienaga
COVID Cases -
Injuries - Jesiel (ACL, expected back May but TBC), Kurumaya( Shoulder injury, back mid April)
Notes
Frontale did a public training session this week. We will able to see:
Noborizato back in training
Kurumaya doing light training
Oshima back in training
Marcinho doing light training
Of these, I am not risking any for sorare this GW though we could see Noborizato starting.
I expect to see Ienaga start and Miyagi could be rewarded with a start after an excellent performance off the bench against Gamba
Nagoya Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 22%
Most likely to play - Langerak, Nakatani, Yoshida, Inagaki, Mateus
Combos - Langerak & Nakatani
Main set Piece taker - Mateus
Pens - Mateus
COVID Cases -
Injuries - Tiago went off last game and is a doubt here
Notes
Tiago was taken off with a nasty looking injury, whilst watching I thought it may have been am ACL/v serious knee injury. It turned out to be a wound which required stiches and although I see him being a doubt for this game, it will only likely be a short term injury. I can see young prospect Fujii coming in for this one. Outside this, I dont see many changes. Striker position continues to be the problem area for Nagoya and there might be changeup here
Match Prediction
Frontale performances have been relatively poor this season which may be surprising considering they are second with only 1 defeat. However, I feel like they have had a slice of fortune in a few of there games, especially last week vs Gamba.
Nagoya have had a very stop/start beginning to the season and have only played 2 games. They do look solid but lack the attacking spark. I feel that this will be a close game with Nagoya with a shot to pull off a surpise if they can employ tactics that have seen other teams have success vs Frontale. However, Frontale have been finding ways to win and can see this being another victory for them
Frontale 2- 1 Nagoya
Sagan Tosu vs Urawa Reds
Sagan Tosu Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 23%
Most likely to play - Park Gyu, Diego, Koizumi, ,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 hasnt been in the squad the last game. Shimakawa is out ontil May
Suspensions -
Notes
Oumari joinined up with the Sagan team but it feels to early for him to start here. Shimakawa was injured last game and is out until May, I can see Harada coming in to replace him. Up front - players are still missing for Sagan and I can see them continuing with the same front 3 as last week.
Urawa Reds Predicted Lineup
Odds
Win - 42%
Most likely to play - Nishikawa, Ito, Iwao, Akimoto, Sakai
Combos - Nishikawa and Iwananmi
Main set Piece taker - Esaka/Iwao
Pens - Esaka/Iwao
COVID Cases -
Suspensions -
Notes
Urawa finally won a game last week with a 2-0 win over Shonan that saw their two lefbacks scores the goals. The manager continue to rotate heavily which makes it tricky to predict some players. The CBs, Esaka and Sekine in particular have played a lot of minutes and are all rotation risks.
My strategy with my Urawa players is to play them all in one team (Iwao, Iwanami and Nishikawa) as I think that the occassional DNP is worth it in this instance as its very hard to predict when they might be rested and they can all score big so over the course of a season, it should hit "big" often enough to make it worth it.
I have been surprised by Junkers lack of gametime. I thought it was match fitness but he has been training for a while and was an unused sub last game. I will continue to put him in my predicted teams as he is one of the best strikers in the league.
The big news for Urawa this week was Moberg Karlsson joining up in training. He seems to have impressed in training and also held the teams conference. This game may well be too early for him but I can see him making the bench and starting soon enough.
Match Prediction
I feel that now Urawa have got that much needed win out of their way, we will see an improvement in results. They have a much kinder fixture list and with Moberg Karlsson joining up with the team, I can see this allowing them to play the dynamic football the manager is known for.
Sagan have surprised many with their youngsters stepping up. I feel this will be an entertaining game and Urawa will win comfortably.
Sagan 0- 2 Urawa
Vissel Kobe vs Melbourne Victory
Kobe will be playing in a ACL qualifier game against Melbourne Victory this GW. I havent done a predicted lineup, simple because they are playing Kashima Antlers tonight and there may well be injuries.
I do expect Kobe to play their strongest team in the qualifier as they will be targeting this tournament especially after a poor start to their domestic season. As it is a home game and generally speaking J league teams are stronger than their A League counterpart, I do expect Kobe to win this.
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!